Pangasinan: A total of 2,297 households in a town in Pangasinan received the initial cash assistance of PHP2,000 each under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program facilitated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

According to Philippines News Agency, the beneficiaries, categorized as indigent and near-poor based on the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System of the Philippine Statistics Authority, are part of Group 2. This initiative aims to provide financial relief to households struggling with economic challenges. Mercedes Santos, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the President for the aid, stating she would use the money for her maintenance medicines and her children's needs. Alma Lopez plans to utilize the cash assistance for food for her family, while Mercedes Rangel intends to allocate it for her children's allowances. Riowel Ferrer mentioned he would buy rice for his household.

The UPLIFT program covers 54,022 households in Pangasinan. DSWD-1 Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan explained that the beneficiaries are identified as poor and near-poor, those 25 percent above the poverty threshold. Each household is set to receive PHP2,000 monthly from July to December, with the initial payout done manually and subsequent ones via a digital platform.

"This initiative was introduced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to aid those affected by the energy crisis, providing cash relief under the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis program," Gopalan noted. Other beneficiaries include members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Walang Gutom Program, who will receive a one-time PHP2,000 cash assistance. Low-income individuals verified through the Social Security System (SSS) with contributions below PHP20,000 will also benefit, ensuring aid reaches the neediest households.