Manila: More than 5.78 million poor, near-poor, and low-income households nationwide have received financial assistance under the Marcos administration's Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the agency is nearing completion of the distribution, particularly for Group 1 beneficiaries who are entitled to a one-time payout and have bank or digital accounts.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dumlao assured beneficiaries that they would receive the promised assistance of the government to relieve them from the hardship they are experiencing due to the energy emergency. Of the total beneficiaries, 3,214,485 households under Group 1 have received assistance. This group includes beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).

Group 2, composed of poor and near-poor households identified through the Philippine Statistics Authority's Community-Based Monitoring System, has recorded 1,755,561 beneficiaries. Another 811,368 Group 3 beneficiaries, consisting of low-income members of the Social Security System (SSS), have received their cash aid through their registered disbursement accounts.

Dumlao emphasized the ongoing coordination with local government units and partner agencies like SSS to ensure the continuous progress of UPLIFT. She reiterated the commitment of the DSWD to comply with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to assist every Filipino during emergencies, ensuring the monitoring and distribution of UPLIFT assistance continues.

Field validation is ongoing to locate remaining beneficiaries under Groups 2 and 3 who have yet to receive their initial payout. Dumlao pointed out that some beneficiaries might have moved to new addresses, experienced changes in their economic status, or have dormant bank accounts.