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ngat Buhay, in partnership with ASA Philippines Foundation and the Maginhawa Food Community, has launched "Kusina ng Pag-asa" on Monday in Quezon City, an initiative aimed at building a nationwide disaster-response kitchen network. | via Francis Orcio, ABS-CBN News

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Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

QUEZON CITY – Angat Buhay, in partnership with ASA Philippines Foundation and the Maginhawa Food Community, on Monday launched “Kusina ng Pag-asa,” a nationwide initiative aimed at organizing a network of community-based kitchens for faster and more coordinated disaster response.The program seeks to mobilize restaurants, community kitchens, and food sector partners into a system that can be activated during emergencies to provide timely, dignified, and equitable access to hot meals for affected communities.Launched in Quezon City, the initiative builds on years of disaster response experience dating back to efforts under the Office of the Vice President, then led by former Vice President Leni Robredo.“We’re formalizing iyong lahat ng mga natutuhan natin for the past 10 years, simula noong nagsimula ang Angat Buhay sa Office of the Vice president led by Ma&#x27;am Leni Robredo,” Angat Buhay executive director Raffy Magno said.“So, for the past 10 years, nakita natin kung gaano kahalaga iyong paghahanda in partnership with different local restaurants, kitchens, caridenrias, lalo na sa pag-preposition ng mga hot meals kapag may sakuna, kapag may bagyo,” he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/07/01/23/20k-families-helped-by-angat-buhay-a-year-into-founding">READ: 20k families helped by Angat Buhay a year into founding</a></div>Magno said that early coordination is central to the system, with partner kitchens and restaurants already identified across the country even before disasters strike.“Kung saan tatama ang bagyo, alam na natin kung sino iyong mga i-tatap natin. So bago pa man magkaroon ng massive na destruction iyong bagyo sa kanilang lugar, nakakapaghanda na sila,” he said.He noted that these existing kitchens and restaurants play a crucial role in mobilizing hot meal distribution in affected areas, complementing government-led disaster response efforts.“These are existing kitchens already and restaurants na tina-tap ng Angat Buhay to help us in mobilizing hot meals doon sa mga communities affected by the disaster,” Magno said.The launch also comes ahead of the rainy season, with the organization aiming to further expand its network in the coming months.“Gusto natin maghanda na dahil sa paparating na tag-ulan at sa mga paparating na bagyo at sana sa mga susunod na buwan, makapag-invite pa tayo ng mas maraming community kitchens, restaurants, and carinderias na sumama sa ating network,” Magno said.In a statement, Angat Buhay said the initiative is anchored on dignity, responsiveness, and community collaboration, ensuring that food assistance remains safe, reliable, and responsive to people’s needs.A key feature of the initiative is the delivery of what organizers call “dignified meals,” which ensures cultural appropriateness and proper preparation of the food.“Gusto natin ma-standardize, hindi lamang iyong proseso, but at the same time kung paano hinahanda at binibigay ang pagkain sa mga Pilipinong nasalanta ng bagyo,” Magno said.“We will make sure na ito ay culturally appropriate, ito ay nararapat doon sa kanilang pamayanan. At the same time, ito ay nahanda nang maayos at nabigay nang maayos din sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino,” he added.Magno said that the system can also be activated beyond natural disasters, including during other crises affecting vulnerable sectors.He cited ongoing food distribution efforts in Marikina as an example of its wider application.On sustainability, Magno said the initiative is designed to function even in non-disaster periods by building resources in advance.“Sa mga panahon na walang sakuna o sa panahon na walang paparating na bagyo, iyong ating mga kitchens, restaurants, carenderias ay magsisilbing resource generation hub,” he said.“Nag-iipon na rin tayo ng resources para hindi lamang tayo naglilikom ng donasyon, naglilikom ng tulong kapag nasalanta na tayo ng bagyo. So, mas magiging sustainable dahil meron na tayong agarang resources na magagamit,” he added.

Angat Buhay, in partnership with ASA Philippines Foundation and the Maginhawa Food Community, on Monday launched “Kusina ng Pag-asa,” a nationwide initiative aimed at organizing a network of community-based kitchens for faster and more coordinated disaster response.

Angat Buhay, in partnership with ASA Philippines Foundation and the Maginhawa Food Community, on Monday launched “Kusina ng Pag-asa,” a nationwide initiative aimed at organizing a network of community-based kitchens for faster and more coordinated disaster response.

Angat Buhay launches ‘Kusina ng Pag-asa’ to build nationwide disaster-response kitchen network

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Angat Buhay launches ‘Kusina ng Pag-asa’ to build nationwide disaster-response kitchen network

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 20, 2026 08:13 PM PHT

Read More:

Angat Buhay

Leni Robredo

Kusina ng Pag-asa

Maginhawa Food Community

Volunteerism

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