Davao: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao is set to assist 116,769 individuals in the Davao Region through the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Assistance program. This initiative, which commenced in July and will continue until December, ensures a monthly aid of PHP2,000 for each eligible participant.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initial distribution is being carried out manually, with future payouts transitioning to digital payment systems. The breakdown of beneficiaries includes 15,640 individuals from Davao de Oro, 23,780 from Davao del Norte, 31,865 from Davao del Sur including Davao City, 18,446 from Davao Occidental, and 27,038 from Davao Oriental.
The aid targets Group 2 beneficiaries, consisting of poor and near-poor families identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System, who are not recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Walang Gutom Program. On August 6, 1,208 beneficiaries in this city received aid during a distribution event at the Agdao Public Market.
DSWD-11 Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Merlinda Paragamac, emphasized the significance of the UPLIFT program for 14,716 Group 2 beneficiaries in Davao City, especially in light of rising oil prices. She confirmed that DSWD-11 will continue efforts to reach all qualified beneficiaries in Davao City through future payouts.
Jeffrey Ulaw, a 32-year-old resident of Davao, expressed gratitude to the Marcos administration after receiving PHP2,000 during the August 6 distribution. "This is a big help for our families, especially for our children. Thank you so much to our current administration for this assistance," he remarked.
