In its first two weeks, the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) Cebu served 3,317 free, warm, and nutritious lunch meals to vulnerable individuals, families, and walk-in clients experiencing involuntary hunger from June 22 to July 5, 2026.

More than just a place to eat, the community kitchen has become a sanctuary of hope for many folks who face the quiet, daily worry of keeping their families fed.

One of them is 50-year-old Cristito Mijares, a person with disability (PWD) who is currently experiencing homelessness. Together with his wife, Cristito survives by collecting recyclable materials at night and selling them the following day.

On fortunate days, he earns just over P100, often enough for only one meal a day for his family.

Before learning about the Walang Gutom Kitchen, Cristito said their limited income was usually spent on the cheapest food they could afford, such as dried fish and eggplant. There were even days when they had to ask nearby stores for food.

Introduced to the Kitchen by fellow street dwellers, Cristito and his wife are now regular visitors, easing one of his family’s daily burdens.

“Sa una, mangayo ra gyud mi og pagkaon sa mga tindahan. Magpakalooy mi aron lang makakaon. Karon, nalipay ko nga gidala ko sa akong amigo diri sa Walang Gutom Kitchen,” Cristito shared, “mura gyud og restaurant ug disente kaayo,”

While grateful for the daily meals, Cristito continues to hope for a more sustainable livelihood. He dreams of receiving livelihood assistance to start a small store or own an electric tricycle for passenger transport, providing a more stable source of income for his family.

For senior citizens with limited income, the WGK Cebu offers more than a warm meal—it offers relief, dignity, and hope.

At 81 years old, Rebecca Biatinggo of Sawang Calero continues to accept occasional laundry work whenever opportunities arise. Meanwhile, 74-year-old Loretta Arsolon still works as a passenger baggage handler at Cebu Port, relying on passengers’ tips despite the physical demands of her age.

For both women, rising food prices have made it increasingly difficult to afford nutritious meals.

For Lola Rebecca, there were days when putting food on the table meant stretching every peso.

“Nalipay ko karon kay nakakaon ko, limpyo, nindot, ug husay. Dili pareho sa uban nga gayagaw lang. Sakto ra gyud kaayo nga ig-abot nako sa amo kay dili na ta gutumon hangtod sa hapon,” Rebecca shared after visiting the Kitchen.

Loretta said the savings from the free meals have allowed her to set aside money for other priorities.

“Sukad nga naabot ko diri, naa na koy sobra nga kwarta. Nagtigom ko aron mapaayo unta akong gamay nga balay. Atong lawas man gud ang atong puhunan,” she said.

Their stories reflect the realities faced by many vulnerable Filipinos whose limited incomes are no longer enough to sustain a balanced diet.

Of the 536 clients registered by the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) Cebu as of July 4, 105—or nearly one in every five (19%)—are senior citizens, making up a significant portion of the kitchen’s beneficiaries. While, PWDs are composed of 11 beneficiaries, or around 2 percent of the total beneficiaries who visited the kitchen.

Beyond providing meals, the Walang Gutom Kitchen serves as a one-stop social protection hub, connecting beneficiaries to DSWD programs and services that support long-term recovery and self-reliance.

While the kitchen opens at 11:00 a.m. for lunch, it will soon expand its operations from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. This expansion will allow the team to serve both breakfast and lunch, preparing up to 250 meals daily until supplies run out.

It also serves as a convergence platform for DSWD flagship programs, including the Walang Gutom Program, Pag-abot Program, and Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, enabling vulnerable individuals and families to access multiple social protection services in one location.

During its first week, 250 individuals and families were profiled and issued Walang Gutom Kitchen identification cards, while 21 individuals and three families in street situations sought assistance through the Pag-abot Help Desk—marking the beginning of a more comprehensive intervention that goes beyond food assistance.

This is the first step for an integrated intervention for children, individuals, and families in street situations (C/I/FISS), as well as other food-insecure sectors.

Located at Pier 4, OKK Square Unit, Arellano Boulevard corner Gen. Maxilom Extension, Cebu City, the Walang Gutom Kitchen is the second facility of its kind in the country, following the first Kitchen established in Pasay City in December 2024. With similar facilities now operating in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the initiative continues to expand as part of the government’s efforts to address involuntary hunger while strengthening access to social protection services nationwide. ###