Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday said it aims to expand the pilot implementation of its food stamp program (FSP) by October.
DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay also said that they target to bring the program outside Metro Manila, including Siargao by the end of this month.
The department earlier identified five sites for the pilot implementation — National Capital Region, Isabela, Camarines Sur, Negros Occidental, and Caraga.
Punay said the market retail assessment is ongoing for the other mentioned areas, but they have already identified 33 partners in Siargao Island.
While the DSWD awaits funding from its partners, Punay gave the assurance that the pilot implementation is funded through a $3 million (approximately ₱163 million) grant from the Asian Development Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP).
“Hindi naman po naapektuhan ‘yung ating implementation ng pilot run ng ating programang food stamp dahil we’re right on schedule,” he said, noting that identification and validation of beneficiaries are ongoing.
“Magiging available po ang kailangang pondo po by October so dun ma-implement na ang full blown na pilot implementation for 3,000 beneficiaries,” Punay added.
[Translation: The pilot run of our food stamp program is not affected, and we’re right on schedule…The needed funds will be available by October, so that would also be when we will have a full blown pilot implementation for 3,000 beneficiaries.]
Punay said they hope to have accredited retailers like Kadiwa stores, small businesses and major groceries on board by October so their beneficiaries will be able to use their tap cards to purchase food items.
The DSWD and the WFP held a Nutrition Education Session for FSP beneficiaries in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday.
The 50 pilot families who were also part of the launch, were taught how to plan and cook nutritious meals from what they purchased using their ₱3,000 monthly food credits.
Under the FSP, beneficiaries must attend nutrition classes to develop healthy eating habits, as well as job-generating programs to prepare them for the exit phase.
In July, the DSWD launched the pilot implementation of the food stamp program with 50 families in Tondo, Manila. It will run for six months for 3,000 families who have a total monthly income of ₱8,000 or less.
Following the pilot run, the DSWD will study the results before disclosing the findings to the public.
The agency aims to scale up the project by adding 300,000 families per year until it reaches the 1 million target.
