DSWD provides free meals to PUV drivers at Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay

Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers may now avail of free breakfast and lunch at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City.

DSWD said that the move was made to aid PUV drivers amid increasing fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to a statement on Friday, drivers may get free breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and lunch at 11:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday.

The meals include fried rice, fried dilis, and scrambled egg with potato for breakfast; and rice, fried chicken, and kalabasa with sitaw guisado for lunch.

“Alam namin ang bigat ng epekto ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa ating mga PUV drivers. Sa pamamagitan ng Walang Gutom Kitchen, nais naming matiyak na may sapat at masustansyang pagkain silang makakain araw-araw,” said DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

(We all know the heavy effect of the continuous price increase of oil on our PUV drivers. Through the Walang Gutom Kitchen, we wish to make sure that there is enough nutritious food that they can eat every single day.)

“Parte ito ng ating whole-of-government approach sa pagbibigay ng assistance upang sa kahit maliit na paraan ay makatulong tayo sa ating mga PUJ drivers alinsunod sa bilin ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” she added.

(This is part of our whole-of-government approach for assisting, so that even in the smallest way, we can help our PUJ drivers in line with orders from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.)

Meanwhile, she said that the kitchen remains open for any individual in need of food support.

In 2025, DSWD said that its Walang Gutom Kitchen served 200,003 meals to 142,246 unique and returning clients.

The assistance is in line with their mandate to help those in need of food and to reduce food wastage by turning donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals.

“Bukas ang ating kusina para sa lahat ng nakararanas ng gutom, hindi lamang para sa mga tsuper kundi para sa sinumang nangangailangan ng agarang tulong pagkain,” said Dumlao.

(Our kitchen is open for anyone who is experiencing hunger, not just for drivers but for anybody who needs immediate food assistance.)

The Walang Gutom Kitchen was established in 2024 at the Nasdake Building in Pasay City and has since been operating through donations and volunteer support. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LDF, GMA News