Davao city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-11) announced on Tuesday that the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program will transition its payout system from manual to electronic methods.

According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 1,415 beneficiaries in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, have already received their initial PHP2,000 monthly aid through manual distribution. However, starting from August and continuing through December, these payouts will be conducted digitally. This shift is a significant move towards modernizing government service delivery.

For many beneficiaries, including senior citizens like Joebel Gulpe, who relies on his fishpond as his primary income source while supporting his children's education, this transition offers both relief and challenges. "I'm sending my children to school. The aid is a big help and I would like to thank you for helping us in our day-to-day life," Gulpe expressed. Despite his unfamiliarity with digital platforms, Gulpe and other recipients view this change as an opportunity to learn and adapt.

DSWD-11 highlighted that the digital payout system aims to make the assistance process more efficient, secure, and accessible. Orientation sessions during manual distributions are designed to prepare beneficiaries for the upcoming digital process, ensuring smoother transactions in the upcoming months. Beyond financial relief, the program also promotes digital literacy within the community.

"As payouts continue until December, beneficiaries are expected to gain confidence in using digital platforms, turning what was once a challenge into a routine. In Hagonoy, the UPLIFT Program is becoming more than a story of aid -- it is also a story of learning, adaptation, and progress toward a digitally ready community," stated DSWD-11.