DSWD: Over 5.57M households receive UPLIFT cash aid

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that more than 5.57 million poor, near-poor and low-income households have received financial assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the continued distribution of cash aid aims to cushion families from rising prices and prevent vulnerable households from falling deeper into poverty.

“Patuloy po ang pamamahagi ng ating gobyerno ng cash assistance sa ilalim ng UPLIFT program para maibsan ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” Dumlao said.

She said the government is working to ensure that assistance reaches beneficiaries as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Of the total beneficiaries, 3,201,142 households under Group 1 have received the P2,000 cash assistance. Group 1 covers beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).

Another 1,575,893 beneficiaries under Group 2 have received assistance. This group consists of poor and near-poor households identified through official government records.

Meanwhile, 802,216 Group 3 beneficiaries—low-income members of the Social Security System (SSS)—have also received their cash aid.

The UPLIFT Assistance is an emergency social protection initiative designed to provide targeted financial support to poor and low-income Filipinos amid rising fuel costs and inflation affecting basic commodities.

Dumlao said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian want to ensure that vulnerable Filipinos are not left behind during periods of crisis.

The DSWD said it will continue distributing assistance to the remaining qualified beneficiaries nationwide while improving its programs and services for Filipinos in need.—LDF, GMA News