00:00President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. hit the ground running by personally serving meals at the DSWD's Walang Gutom Kitchen,
00:07showing his hands-on approach in tackling hunger.
00:10He also lent a helping hand at the new Pag-Abot Processing Center,
00:14offering temporary shelter and support to families and individuals living on the streets.
00:19Our Denise Osorio reports.
00:23He not only paid a visit, but also worked as part of the service staff.
00:28President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. earlier today personally prepared and served food to beneficiaries
00:34from vulnerable sectors including children, families, and individuals in street situations or CFISS.
00:41This forms part of an expanded program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD,
00:47as the President places greater emphasis on government's campaign against hunger.
00:52Ang dream niya, sabi nga niya, ang birthday wish niya, at ang pangarap niya,
00:56wala ng gutom na Pilipino pagdapos niya after his term.
01:00So ito, part na ito ng overall drive natin.
01:02Nakabukas ang walang gutom kitchen, araw-araw, from breakfast pati lunch na service natin.
01:07At na walang gutom kitchen, nearly 700 individuals are provided with free breakfast and lunch each day,
01:14addressing the immediate food needs of those without a clue where their next meal is coming from.
01:19Among the beneficiaries is Eugene Pelaje, who regularly visits the kitchen with her 3-year-old child.
01:25With limited financial means and her husband's insufficient income as a construction worker,
01:30she expressed gratitude to the government for the provision of free and nutritious food.
01:34Maayos naman po sila mag, ano, ng tao dito na kumakain.
01:39Maayos naman po yung trato po nila sa mga, ano, service po dito.
01:43Okay naman po, ma'am.
01:45Ayak din ako kasi ang pagbibigay niya bukal sa puso po, galing sa puso po talaga na may pagmamal sa buong bayan.
01:53Another beneficiary, Lucia L. Des, said she was pleased to have met the president during the visit.
01:58She no longer has employment or family support in Manila,
02:02and government assistance has enabled her to manage day-to-day.
02:06Masaya, masaya po.
02:08Wala po akong masabi po.
02:11Mga pinsan po, alam po nanonood sila.
02:14Ano, nandito ako sa DSWD.
02:17Na-interview ako, kumakain, kumakain ako.
02:21Nandito si Bumbong, presidente natin.
02:25Mansayang-saya, talaga lang.
02:28Beyond the issue of hunger, the president also addressed the broader problem of homelessness
02:32during his visit to the new Pag-Abot Processing Center.
02:36The facility has the capacity to accommodate between 180 and 200 individuals,
02:41serving as a temporary shelter for people and families previously living on the streets.
02:45In addition to sleeping areas for women, men, and families,
02:49the center includes a meditation room, mess hall, child-minding center,
02:54staff wellness area, counseling rooms, a multi-purpose hall,
02:58family area, medical facility, and breastfeeding area.
03:02Ni-renovate natin yung dating Pogo Hub at ginawa na natin temporary shelter
03:07kasi pag-reach out natin sa kanila sa lansangan,
03:10hindi naman natin sila maiuwi ka agad sa kanila mga probinsya.
03:13Dito sila pansamantala na mamalagi, kahit na mga maximum of two to three weeks.
03:18Then, ilolocate namin yung mga komunidad nila.
03:21Ibabalik natin sila doon, katama na ng Live Law Grant.
03:24From April 2023 to 14th December 2025,
03:28more than 11,000 families and over 5,000 individuals nationwide
03:32have received assistance through the Pag-Abot Program.
03:35The DSWD said their social workers conduct daily patrols across Metro Manila
03:40to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
03:44Denise Osorio from the National Television Network for a new and better Philippines.
