The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured on Tuesday, May 23, that the proposed food stamp program will have 'safety nets' to avoid exploitation.
DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian stressed that beneficiaries will not receive cash but a digital coupon that they can use to acquire food items from accredited grocery stores, and Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites.
"Pag-tap ng card nila, hindi rin cash yung bibigay natin sa kanila kung hindi halaga ng pagkain," Gatchalian said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"Ang ating subsidy na na-forsee ay 3,000 pesos. That means 3,000 pesos worth of foods," he added.
The DSWD chief further mentioned that beneficiaries cannot pick any food item that they want since the program also seeks to ensure that they follow a nutritious diet.
Gatchalian said that recipients of the food stamp will also need to attend nutrition classes.
"Ibig sabihin, 50 percent noon ay mapupunta sa carbohydrates. Mamimili ka sa carbohydrates na nandoon. Kapag 30 percent na nakalagay ay protein, within the food group ay 30 percent and, then, 20 percent na fats," Gatchalian said
"Hindi yung ibibigay mo yung coupon tapos, yung coupon, kung anu-ano ang bibilhin doon. Nakalaan na, nakatakda na kung anong klaseng food products lang ang pwede mong bilhin," he stressed.
The Cabinet secretary said that the DSWD will select the beneficiaries from the households included in the Listahanan, or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.
President Marcos revealed on Monday, May 22, that his administration seeks to partner with the Asian Development Bank in order to establish a nationwide food stamp program.
On that same day, the Chief Executive met with ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa at the headquarters of the regional bank in Mandaluyong City.
