San fabian: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Ilocos Region (DSWD-1) commenced the distribution of cash relief assistance under the Expanded Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program across three localities in Pangasinan and La Union provinces.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initial rollout of the UPLIFT program benefited 978 households in San Fabian, 770 in Urdaneta City, both in Pangasinan, and 113 in Balaoan, La Union, with each household receiving PHP2,000. The program targets 5,469 household beneficiaries in La Union and 54,022 in Pangasinan.
DSWD-1 Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan explained that the beneficiaries are identified as poor and near-poor, categorized as those 25 percent above the poverty threshold, based on assessments by the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System of the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. Beneficiaries will receive PHP2,000 monthly from July to December, with the first payout being conducted in person and subsequent disbursements through a digital platform.
"This initiative was introduced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a response to the energy crisis, aiming to provide cash relief assistance under the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICs) program," Gopalan stated. Additional beneficiaries include members of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) and those listed under the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).
Recipients in the 4Ps program will receive a one-time cash assistance of PHP2,000 directly to their Land Bank of the Philippines or GCash accounts, while WGP beneficiaries will receive the same assistance manually during their scheduled food redemption periods. The program also extends to individuals from low-income households verified through the Social Security System (SSS). Qualified SSS beneficiaries are those with a monthly salary credit of less than PHP20,000 and at least one contribution in the past year, with the benefit awarded to the oldest member if multiple qualified members reside in the same household.
Earlier, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian highlighted the inclusion of the near-poor due to their vulnerability to economic fluctuations. He noted that some households are considered poor but do not qualify for the 4Ps program due to the absence of school-age children.
