Western visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6) has commenced the distribution of cash assistance under the expanded United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program, targeting nearly 40,000 near-poor families in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initial payout covers 39,936 near-poor households identified through the Philippine Statistics Authority's 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System. These households belong to Group 2 of the expanded UPLIFT program, which is a response by DSWD and national government agencies through Executive Order 110 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aimed at compensating for the loss of income due to rising fuel prices.
DSWD-6 Regional Director Joselito Estember explained that beneficiaries are classified into three groups. Group 1 includes members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and recipients of the Walang Gutom Program, while Group 2 comprises near-poor households identified through the monitoring system. Group 3 consists of low-income members of the Social Security System (SSS).
Estember noted that approximately 145,000 4Ps beneficiaries and 20,000 Walang Gutom recipients under Group 1 will receive a one-time PHP2,000 top-up to their existing grants. In contrast, Group 3 beneficiaries will receive monthly subsidies through their SSS accounts. Group 2 beneficiaries are set to receive PHP2,000 monthly for six months, spanning from July to December 2026.
"This is the first batch that we are validating. We expect to add about 37,000 more beneficiaries, bringing the total to 77,373 households," Estember said. Beneficiaries received their first payment in cash, with future payouts to be disbursed through the platform they choose during registration.
Recipients expressed gratitude for the assistance, which they indicated would aid in covering daily needs. Rubz Lee, a senior citizen from Iloilo City who supports her family through laundry work, plans to use the funds for her grandchildren's necessities. "We have never received any assistance before, so I am very grateful for this help," she said.
Dennis Ciples, who supports his family by selling scrap materials, remarked that the cash aid would help him purchase food for his family. The simultaneous kickoff payout was held at seven sites in Western Visayas, including Banga and Kalibo in Aklan; San Jose, Antique; Dumalag, Capiz; Buenavista, Guimaras; Iloilo City; and Janiuay, Iloilo.
