Davao: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-11) has expanded its Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) assistance program in the Davao Region, serving a total of 68,256 households as of Aug. 19.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program has already disbursed over PHP136.5 million in cash aid to vulnerable families across the region. "The assistance aims to help households cope with the rising cost of living while supporting livelihoods, food security, and transport needs," DSWD-11 said.

The UPLIFT program is part of DSWD's broader effort to provide sustained relief and social protection to communities, ensuring that families receive monthly support to ease financial burdens. Under the initiative, qualified recipients are entitled to monthly cash assistance of PHP2,000.

Running through December, the monthly subsidy is designed to help families under Groups 2 and 3 buffer against rising living costs, secure basic food supplies, and manage everyday household needs. Group 2 is composed of poor and near-poor households not currently enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Group 3 comprises low-income employed Social Security System members with a monthly salary credit of PHP20,000 or less and who have active contributions and a disbursement account. They receive PHP2,000 monthly from July to December.