Marcos wants to strengthen, expand DSWD program for street dwellers – Palace

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday afternoon led the distribution of gifts and helped serve free meals to beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City as part of interventions to support families and persons in crisis situations and address involuntary hunger.

Marcos led the “DSWD Pag-Abot Program: Pasko Kasama ang Pangulo” activity at the Nasdake Building, which houses the Walang Gutom Kitchen and the newly-inaugurated Pag-abot Processing Center. He was joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

In a statement, Malacañang said the President expressed his intention to strengthen the Pag-Abot Program, an initiative that offers support, interventions, and social welfare protection to street dwellers.

This is by extending support to more families in need of social welfare protection, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

“Tiniyak ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagpapalawig ng DSWD Pag-Abot Program, na nagbibigay proteksyon, pagkain, at regalo sa mga benepisyaryo ngayong Kapaskuhan,” the PCO said on its Facebook page.

(President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the expansion of the DSWD Pag-Abot Program that provides protection, food, and gifts to beneficiaries this Christmas season.)

The PCO added that the scope of the Pag-Abot Program and the Walang Gutom Kitchen will be expanded further in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and in Central Visayas next year.

President Marcos serves meals to beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

The President’s visit coincided with the first anniversary of the Walang Gutom Kitchen, a component of the Pag-Abot Program, and the inauguration of the Pag-abot Processing Center.

Marcos also inspected the facilities of the Pag-Abot Processing Center, which includes a family area, male and female quarters, mess hall, wellness area, holding and processing area, multi-purpose hall, and medical room.

It became operational in April 2024 as a temporary shelter with a 180-bed capacity.

Institutionalized in 2024 through Executive Order No. 52, the Pag-Abot Program has reached out to 10,570 families and persons living on the streets since its pilot implementation in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Walang Gutom Kitchen serves as a food bank to address involuntary hunger among families and persons in street situations.

It serves breakfast and lunch to approximately 250 to 300 walk-in beneficiaries every day with the help of food donors. — JMA, GMA Integrated News