At least six beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program were hired on the spot during the recently concluded Innovations Caravan, organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7-Central Visayas at the Enan Chiong Activity Center in the City of Naga, Cebu.

Productivity Fair, one of the key activities of the caravan, made this achievement possible. This event brought together government agencies and other stakeholders, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Public Employment and Service Office (PESO), to connect beneficiaries with potential employers through job matching and hiring on-the-spot (HOTS) opportunities.

The following beneficiaries hired on the spot come from the City of Naga: Josephine Colico from Barangay Mayana; Diana Rose Pacaña and Imy Crismondo from Barangay Uling; Shaira Jane Igonia from Barangay Tangke 2; and Nina Rose Apas and Judy Ann Lapiz from Barangay Tagjaguimit.

Eighteen-year-old Pacaña, the first hired on the spot as a production worker for a company, expressed her gratitude for the Productivity Fair, which allowed her to work despite not having a college degree.

“I am thankful to the DSWD for connecting Walang Gutom Program beneficiaries with potential employers because it made the process less of a hassle. With this opportunity, I can now help support my family, especially my younger siblings,” she said.

Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge

Meanwhile, married couple Jovencito and Margelin Ruales emerged as champions of the Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge, the highlight of the Innovations Caravan.

Sharing her experience, Margelin expressed her overflowing joy and gratitude—not only to God but also to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DSWD—for the implementation of this flagship program.

The Walang Gutom Kusinero Challenge is a culinary competition that serves as both an advocacy tool and a platform to showcase the cooking talents of Walang Gutom Program beneficiaries.

In this contest, participants prepare nutritious, affordable, and delicious meals using ingredients sourced through the program’s food redemption activities, inspired by lessons from the Nutrition Education Sessions.

The competition takes place across three levels — Provincial, Regional, and National — with a set of criteria designed to encourage creativity and innovation. It not only highlights the skills of the beneficiaries but also showcases the unique cuisine of each region in the country.

Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas

 The Innovations Caravan also featured the official unveiling of the Regional Tahanan Hub, in line with the Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas initiative — a new program under the current administration’s banner of strengthening family welfare and resilience.

This initiative aims to bring various services, especially the non-monetary programs of the DSWD, closer to beneficiaries and Filipino communities.

Caravan of Services

The Caravan of Services brought together various government agencies to provide services such as healthcare, livelihood assistance, and other public programs directly to the people. This initiative helps bridge the gap between the government and citizens, especially those from marginalized sectors.

Among the stakeholders present were the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), International Pharmaceutical Inc. (IPI), and MX3.

The Partner community-based organizations (CBOs) of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program also participated in the event, where they displayed their local products. These included Carcar Communities and Farmers MPC, Pestales Agricultural Cooperative, and Compostela Market Vendors MPC.

In her opening message, Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero expressed gratitude for the strong support from DSWD partners, including the City of Naga, which has been actively participating and assisting in the activity.

“Our program, the Walang Gutom Program, and the newly launched Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas aim to address hunger and provide sustainable food for families. This is the first time in the history of the DSWD to conduct this kind of activity, and we continue to develop innovative steps and programs to respond to the needs of families requiring food and other services,” said Director Lucero.

DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo M. Punay emphasized that the Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge is part of the Walang Gutom Program’s Social Behavioral Change component, which teaches beneficiaries how to prepare healthy, affordable, and delicious meals.

Usec. Punay stressed that the Productivity Fair aims to equip program beneficiaries with the needed skills to prepare for employment through partner agencies. He congratulated the beneficiaries hired on the spot.

“Kami po sa DSWD ngayon ay hindi lang puro ayuda. Ang focus ng DSWD ngayon ay developmental programs kasi gusto namin na matutong tumayo sa kanilang sarili ang mga beneficiaries namin,” he said. ###