Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday unveiled an expanded assistance package aimed at providing targeted cash aid to 7.5 million households under the government's Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program. This initiative is designed to mitigate the adverse effects of the ongoing global oil supply disruption, which has affected approximately 37.5 million Filipinos.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized in a recorded message that the additional support is crucial as rising tensions between the United States and Iran continue to pose threats to global oil supplies. These tensions have led to increased fuel costs and a spike in the prices of essential goods.
The expanded UPLIFT Assistance will see 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Walang Gutom Program receiving a one-time additional cash assistance of up to PHP2,000. Additionally, the government aims to support 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).
Furthermore, 1.5 million low-income workers and their families, whose records have been verified by the Social Security System, will be entitled to PHP2,000 monthly from July to December. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in collaboration with other government agencies, will oversee the program's implementation.
Marcos highlighted that the expanded package is intended to maintain the purchasing power of Filipino families, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure economic stability amid global uncertainties. He also mentioned that digital platforms would be employed to facilitate faster, more efficient, and convenient distribution of the assistance.
The heightened US-Iran conflict followed the collapse of a fragile peace agreement, leading to renewed hostilities after weeks of unsuccessful back-channel diplomacy. This breakdown prompted immediate US airstrikes and the imposition of a naval blockade in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
