Davao city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11) has disbursed more than PHP123 million in assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program as of August 18.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-11 figures showed that 61,627 households across the region have benefited from the initiative, which provides livelihoods, food, and transportation support to vulnerable families. The UPLIFT program is part of the government's ongoing social protection efforts to strengthen household resilience and ensure communities receive timely aid.

Under the initiative, qualified recipients are entitled to monthly cash assistance of PHP2,000. Running through December, the subsidy helps families buffer rising costs, secure food, and manage daily household needs.

Meanwhile, DSWD-11 Social Welfare Officer IV Berlita Silagan addressed concerns about beneficiaries who do not have transaction accounts, such as bank or e-wallet accounts. She noted that limited signal and banking services in some areas pose challenges for digital payouts.

Silagan explained that the program recognizes beneficiaries' diverse circumstances, especially those in remote and geographically isolated areas. 'We strongly encourage beneficiaries to have bank accounts or e-wallets because, while we are currently making manual payouts, the next tranche may be a digital payout. However, for those who truly do not have registered transaction accounts, we may still conduct manual payouts,' she said.

Silagan said the agency aims to speed up and ensure safe, orderly assistance to qualified beneficiaries, addressing issues to improve the UPLIFT program.