By Zaldy De Layola
MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday expressed hope in securing stronger private sector buy-in for the “Walang Gutom” Kitchen, after meeting with partner organizations to discuss ways to stabilize food supply in the newly opened soup kitchen in Pasay City.
While fast food chains and other establishments have been supplying food to the Walang Gutom Kitchen, Gatchalian said he is “hoping to get more private sector buy-in,” especially from hotels.
“Now what we want to stabilize is the supply. That is our goal, to really make it into a food bank. We are hoping to get more players into the picture para talagang (for a real) whole-of-nation approach,” he told officials of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA).
During the meeting held at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City, Gatchalian asked the PHOA officials for updates from their members and if there were any concerns on the part of the hotels in terms of donating excess or surplus food.
PHOA Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr. told Gatchalian that they immediately informed the members of their organization about the initiative of the DSWD and encouraged them to take part in the Walang Gutom Kitchen.
Considering that hotels and other establishments have their own guidelines when it comes to the treatment of excess food, PHOA president Arthur Lopez said the existing Philippine law on food banking would guide the members of the group if there are concerns about liabilities.
“All they have to do is deliver their food to us. May liability waiver naman kami (We have liability waiver), on our side, and the law indemnifies them,” Gatchalian said, adding that the DSWD would be in charge of the pick-up, storage, and waste management to free the PHOA members from these burdens.
Currently, the Walang Gutom Kitchen’s partners and donors include Unilever; PHOA; Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc.; Jollibee Group Foundation; Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.; Nestle; Century Pacific; Monde Nissin Foundation, Inc.; Discovery Primea Hotel; Bossing Marketing; Barkadang Walang Pangalan; Vanessa Jane Lusaria; and Jaime Ching.
Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo Punay and Special Assistant to the Secretary for Innovations Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo joined Gatchalian in the meeting. (PNA)
