PRESIDENT Duterte’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has recently launched “Duterte’s Kitchen” in Cubao, Quezon City, to support government’s national feeding program for the poor.

In a news statement, Glen Badon, PDP-Laban national executive director, said Duterte’s Kitchen was agreed upon during a meeting among Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and other party officials.

Badon said the Duterte’s Kitchen was created to complement their Social Services and Economic Development Program and Duterte’s advocacy to feed the poor.

“It was the brainchild of the Speaker after their meeting,” Badon said, adding that Duterte’s Kitchen, which is located near the Metro Rail Transit 3 Cubao station, seeks to feed hundreds of children daily.

Currently, Badon said the Duterte’s Kitchen serves at least 50 to 70 street children during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Before, we only provide food for the street children, but now even hungry adults are also being attended to,” Badon said.

Duterte’s Kitchen mostly serves free lugaw, or rice porridge, and champorado or chocolate rice porridge, for breakfast; and rice meal with vegetables, fish, chicken or pork adobo during lunch and dinner.

“Our staff are volunteers who believe on the advocacy of extending help to the underprivileged people and bring hope and inspiration to them,” he said.

“The food being served also depends on the donors. If we receive donated vegetables, chicken or pork meat, then we serve these to the street children, and even to the elders,” Badon said.

Besides the feeding program, Badon said Duterte’s Kitchen also serves as education center for the street children where volunteers teach them to read and write.

“Duterte’s Kitchen provides street children the means to uplift their lives. We have programs that will equip them with knowledge like teaching them to read. We are family to them,” said Badon.

Meanwhile, Badon said several Duterte’s Kitchen will be created in other parts of the country to also help the underprivileged people.

“We will bring Duterte’s Kitchen nationwide to feed and teach children roaming the streets aimed at uplifting their situation,” he added.

Badon added the Duterte’s Kitchen also seeks to provide a comprehensive temporary shelter and medical assistance to the people.