A new nationwide study reveals improvements in hunger levels among low-income households supported by the “Walang Gutom Program,” a joint initiative of Globe and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The findings highlight how partnerships like this can play a vital role in addressing food insecurity—an issue that, when left unaddressed, affects not only the public but also the long-term sustainability of businesses that rely on healthy, thriving communities.
To better understand the impact on families, Globe commissioned Social Weather Stations, in coordination with the DSWD, to carry out a two-wave study on hunger alleviation. The first wave was conducted from Oct. 7 to 18, 2024, and the second from Dec. 1 to 10, 2024. It covered a total of 3,991 household responses—2,011 in wave one and 1,980 in wave two—across 33 provinces nationwide.
“This study proves that when the public and private sectors work together with purpose, we can make a real difference in people’s lives. We’re honored to support efforts that not only provide digital access but also help shape better programs through data and insight,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group chief sustainability and corporate communications officer.
Just months after implementation, the study shows the program is making a real impact. Among program beneficiaries, the share of households experiencing hunger dropped by 4.1 percentage points—from 48.7% in October 2024 to 44.6% in December. In contrast, hunger among non-beneficiaries increased by 6.1 points during the same period. The 10.2-point gap between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries shows the positive effect of the intervention.
Significant regional improvements were seen in areas with high vulnerability. In the BARMM-Plus region—which includes Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay—hunger among beneficiaries dropped by 7.3 points. In the Central-South cluster—Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Cotabato City, Zamboanga del Norte and Surigao del Norte—the drop was 5.7 points. A similar trend was observed in severe hunger, where beneficiary households in BARMM-Plus saw a decrease of 8.1 percentage points, the highest across all clusters.
The improvements were especially felt in households where women or less-educated members were in charge of meal planning—those often hit hardest by hunger. At the same time, the study shows many families still struggle with severe food insecurity, emphasizing the need to keep strengthening programs like this.
“Hunger is one of the most urgent challenges facing vulnerable Filipino families today. This study provides clear, data-backed proof that when support is well-targeted, it works. Programs like ‘Walang Gutom’ help break the cycle of poverty and guide national policy toward real, measurable change,” said Linda Luz B. Guerrero, president of SWS.
The “Walang Gutom Program” is more than just about feeding families. It helps keep children focused on learning and gives parents a better chance to work and provide. By reducing hunger, it builds stronger, more resilient communities. The program is set to expand to 300,000 more families in 2025, 150,000 more in 2026 and reach 1 million households by 2027—affirming its long-term commitment to food security nationwide.
Globe is also contributing to the goals of the “Walang Gutom Program” through its Hapag Movement, a flagship initiative that addresses involuntary hunger by providing food assistance and livelihood support to vulnerable families. As of the end of 2024, the movement had already reached 120,455 families, surpassing its original 2025 target, with the help of ₱53 million in donations from corporate partners and Globe customers. It also enabled more than 4,000 individuals to graduate from upskilling programs designed to equip them with sustainable livelihood skills.
For Globe, the work doesn’t stop at connectivity. By combining innovation with compassion, the company hopes to bring meaningful programs that uplift the lives of Filipinos. PR
