Dinagat Islands’ ‘Kinhasong Law-oy’ tops DSWD’s Walang Gutom cook-off
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Dinagat Islands’ mother-and-daughter tandem, Mhe Ann and Ester Caduyac, proved to the judges of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) Kusinero Cook-Off regional round held on March 5, that quality and nutritious food doesn’t have to go over the budget.
The savory soup dish they fondly called ‘Kinhasong Law-oy ala Dinagat’ captivated the judges’ taste buds, making it the winning recipe that gave them a taste of what the best Dinagat Island cuisine can offer.
The recipe featured shellfish ‘kinhason’ in Cebuano – abundantly found in Dinagat seabeds and paired with fresh vegetables – meeting the competition’s standards for nutritious yet affordable food.
“Kaning law-oy usa kini ka putahe nga nibuhi sa among pamilya. Bisan sa kalisod, mag-uban mi ug panginhas ug sagulan sa mga tinanom namo nga gulay, makakaon na dayon among pamilya ug lami-an nga sabaw (This dish is one of the staple foods that sustained our family. Despite our financial difficulties, we worked together as a family in harvesting shellfish near the shore, mixing it with vegetables from our garden. By then, we were able to share a delicious meal,” said Ester Caduyac, matriarch of the Caduyac family and their team’s secondary cook.
The aroma of delicious and nutritious viands filled the venue of the contest, organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, as five teams of WGP beneficiaries from the five provinces of the region prepared their contest recipes. Each competing team showcased cuisines that brought pride to their respective hometowns, incorporating their culture into their plates.
The Walang Gutom Program (WGP) of the DSWD is a flagship initiative designed to combat involuntary hunger, malnutrition, and stunting among food-poor Filipino households. It provides electronic meal credits to beneficiaries, enabling them to purchase nutritious food while also supporting local farmers and fisherfolk.
DSWD introduced the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) as part of the government’s broader efforts to fight poverty and strengthen food security. Under the initiative, beneficiaries receive P3,000 in monthly meal credits, which they can use at farmers’ stores, Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets, and other accredited vendors to purchase nutritious food items for their families.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Baldr H. Bringas attended DSWD Caraga’s Innovations Caravan and the much-anticipated WGP Kusinero Cook-Off, along with DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo M. Punay, to witness the event and convey their support not only to DSWD Caraga but also to the region’s beneficiaries.
Bringas highlighted the primary objective of the innovation programs of the department, particularly the WGP, and how it differs from other programs of DSWD. “What sets these programs apart is that they are targeted, conditional, and measurable.
As Secretary Rex Gatchalian had emphasized, people tend to forget the last word of our agency’s name, which is ‘development.’ Hence, our innovation programs were created not just to give financial grants, but also to focus on the development and progress of our beneficiaries’ living conditions,” said Bringas.
He also emphasized that to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the WGP, beneficiaries are required to attend ‘nutrition education sessions’ before they will receive the P3,000 monthly grant.
During the seminar, they were guided in preparing affordable yet healthy and nutritious food, reinforcing DSWD’s goal toward social behavioral change by influencing them to make better and healthier food choices.
“In the WGP Kusinero Cook-Off, beneficiaries can showcase what they have learned in the nutrition education sessions. We are happy to have witnessed the success of the first and second [this year] cook-off challenge, and we are proud of the progress of our beneficiaries,” Bringas proudly shared.
The WGP Kusinero Cook-off regional winners showed their fellow beneficiaries, the judges, and the audience that with resourcefulness and perseverance, Filipinos can serve not just ordinary meals, but truly sumptuous, award-winning dishes at their tables. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
