DSWD expands social aid programs, reports gains in hunger reduction

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

BURIAL ASSISTANCE. A Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) social worker gives burial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program to a bereaved family in Sogod, Southern Leyte, on Nov. 12, 2025. DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao on Thursday (Dec. 25) said more than seven million beneficiaries received medical, burial, psychosocial, and referral assistance under the program this year, with more cases expected once the December data are finalized. (Photo: Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday highlighted the expanding coverage and measurable impact of its social protection programs for senior citizens, children, and disaster-affected households as it continues to strengthen the delivery of basic services nationwide.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said more than four million indigent senior citizens are receiving a monthly PHP1,000 social pension under the agency’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program.

“Itong halaga na ito bagama’t maliit ay nakakatulong para matustusan iyong pangangailangan po ng ating mga lolo at lola, lalung-lalo na sa gamot at iba pang mga pangangailangan (While the amount may be modest, it helps our elderly meet essential needs, especially medicines),” she said during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview.

Dumlao said Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed field offices to ensure more frequent pension distribution to make the assistance more responsive.

Distribution schedules now range from monthly to every two months, and no later than every three months.

For children, Dumlao said the agency served more than 1.5 million learners under the Supplementary Feeding Program, which provides hot meals, nutritious food, and milk to children in Child Development Centers.

Meanwhile, over 18,000 children in the Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUN) Program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also received support this year through partnerships with local governments to ensure that nutritional targets are met.

“Iyong foundational period talaga ng mga bata ay mahalaga na mai-provide natin iyong kanilang pangangailangan o ma-meet natin iyong kanilang nutritional requirements so that when they grow older ay hindi naman sila maka-experience ng mga health conditions na makakasama o that would be detrimental to their growth and development (The foundational years of children are crucial. We must meet children’s nutritional needs or requirements to prevent health conditions that may hinder their growth and development),” Dumlao said.

She also reported that the Walang Gutom Program expanded its reach to 600,000 household beneficiaries this year, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to end involuntary hunger by the end of his term.

Under the program, each household receives PHP3,000 in monthly food credits redeemable at partner KADIWA stores and accredited retailers.

The program will increase its coverage to 750,000 households next year.

Dumlao said hunger incidence among beneficiaries dropped by more than seven percent in 2025 based on monitoring and third-party surveys.

For individuals in crisis, Dumlao said more than seven million beneficiaries received medical, burial, psychosocial, and referral assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program this year, with more cases expected once December data is finalized.

On disaster response, Dumlao said over 700,000 families received Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) from January to October to support early recovery and repair of homes damaged by calamities.

She said the ECT allows affected families to determine their priorities, whether for shelter repair or livelihood restoration.

“All government agencies are pooling resources to support the prompt recovery of affected families. A whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach is essential to ensure their needs are met,” she added.