As fuel prices increase anew amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
On Thursday, July 16, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the provision of additional financial support to millions of low-income Filipinos under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT).
The said initiative was established through Executive Order No. 110, which was signed in March as part of the measures amid the oil supply and price crunch due to the US-Iran War.
Through a recorded video message, the Chief Executive said, “Kapag tumataas ang gastusin, mas bumibigat ang pasanin ng bawat pamilyang nagsisikap tugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan, lalo na ang mga Pilipinong nasa laylayan ng lipunan.”
The UPLIFT Assistance is expected to benefit 7.5 million households or around 37.5 million Filipinos nationwide and will be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with other agencies.
Under the expanded assistance, 3.5 million beneficiaries enlisted in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program will receive a one-time additional cash assistance of up to PHP 2,000.
Moreover, the government will also provide support to 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).
1.5 million low-income workers and their families validated through the Social Security System (SSS) database are also included, with beneficiaries under the CBMS and SSS to receive PHP2,000 per month from July to December.
“Layunin ng UPLIFT Assistance na mapangalagaan ang kakayahan ng mga pamilyang Pilipino na matustusan ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan,” he stated.
The President assured the public that the assistance would be delivered quickly, efficiently, and conveniently through digital channels.
