The food being served at the Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is very safe for consumption by individuals experiencing involuntary hunger, an agency official on Thursday.

In a media forum at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City, Social Technology Bureau (STB) officer-in-charge Division Chief Jason Oabel said the kitchen strictly implements a “first in, first out” system to ensure that donated food from private sector-partners will be served before its expiry date and will not cause harm to beneficiaries.

“Unang-una po, ang tinitingnan natin d’yan ay yung expiration dahil very important po ‘yon. Dahil nga po ito ay mga pagkain, amin pong maigting na ini-implement ang first in, first out para ma-ensure natin na yung mga binibigay nating pagkain ay hindi makasasama sa ating mga kababayan na nag-aavail ng serbisyo ng Walang Gutom Kitchen (First of all, we look at the expiration [date] because that is very important. Since this is food, we strictly implement the first in, first out policy to ensure that the food we serve are not harmful to our countrymen who are availing the services of the Walang Gutom Kitchen),” Oabel said.

He said allergen information is also being collected and recorded to avoid any allergic reaction.

Oabel said the DSWD accepts any food donation as long as the products are clean, safe to consume, and not “pagpag” (discarded food).

“Ang kanila pong donation ay surplus, hindi po ito tira-tira at hindi po talaga ito nai-serve pa. Halimbawa po, ang New World Hotel, a member of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), nagdo-donate po sila sa amin ng packed meals. Ito po ay talagang naka-pack at hindi po ito pinagsama-samang pagkain (Their donations are surplus, not leftovers, and have not yet been served. For example, the New World Hotel, a member of the PHOA, donates packed meals to us. These are really packed and these are not mixed food),” he said.

The Walang Gutom Kitchen also accepts vegetables, canned goods and other raw ingredients that can be cooked into meals.

Meanwhile, Oabel reiterated the agency’s call for food donations from hotels, restaurants, and other food establishments, as well as from individuals who are willing to render volunteer service for the Walang Gutom Kitchen.

“Patuloy po ang aming panawagan sa ating mga kababayan na gustong makatulong — either services or magdonate po ng mga food items— para po mas marami tayong maserbisyohan na ating mga kababayan na nasa lansangan (We continuously call on our countrymen who want to help – either services or donations of food items – so that we can serve more of our people in the streets,” he said.

Private partners and individuals who want to volunteer may reach the Walang Gutom Kitchen through 0916-829-7202 or walanggutomkitchen@dswd.gov.ph. (PNA)