President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the further expansion of the administration’s flagship “Walang Gutom Program,” which aims to provide food assistance to 750,000 food-insecure families from 2025 to 2028.

The expanded initiative, known as the “Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project,” underscores the government’s strong commitment to achieving a hunger-free Philippines.

“Sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., inaprobahan ng NEDA Board, bago ito naging Economic and Development Council, ang Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers o ang REFUEL project,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Malacañang briefing on Wednesday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the lead implementing agency of the REFUEL.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said REFUEL is key in strengthening the country’s resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

“Ayon kay Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, layunin ng proyekto na palakasin ang social protection system ng bansa laban sa epekto ng krisis, sakuna, at pagbabago ng klima,” Castro said.

“Ang REFUEL ay itinataguyod ng pamahalaan sa tulong ng mga international partners tulad ng Asian Development Bank,” she added. | PND