Expanding Financial Assistance for Vulnerable Families
BACOLOD - The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region is preparing to provide financial assistance to around 160,000 families across Negros Island through the UPLIFT program. Each qualified family under the program's Group 2 category is set to receive PHP 2,000 per month from July through December, providing support over a six-month period. The pilot distribution has already begun in selected areas, including Sagay City, Talisay City, and Hinigaran in Negros Occidental, as well as Dumaguete City and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental. The program is designed to provide timely financial assistance to families facing economic difficulties and help them cope with the rising costs of everyday necessities.
Prioritizing Poor and Near-Poor Households
The beneficiaries under Group 2 are composed of poor and near-poor families identified through the Philippine Statistics Authority's 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System. Negros Occidental accounts for the largest share of the allocation, with more than 90,000 families expected to benefit from the assistance. The monthly support is intended to help vulnerable households meet essential needs while reducing the risk of families falling below the poverty threshold. For many households, regular financial assistance can provide additional resources for food, transportation, education, and other basic expenses, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty. The program also reflects the government's efforts to identify and prioritize families that may not be covered by other long-term social protection programs but still require temporary assistance.
Supporting Families Through Different Assistance Programs
The UPLIFT program also distinguishes between Group 1 and Group 2 beneficiaries based on their existing social protection coverage. Group 1 beneficiaries, which include families enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Walang Gutom Program, will receive a one-time PHP 2,000 payment through their automated teller machine accounts. Meanwhile, Group 2 beneficiaries will receive their assistance on a monthly basis for six months, with the first distribution conducted manually and succeeding payouts expected to transition to a digital platform. The expansion of the program was announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as part of continuing government measures to support vulnerable sectors affected by economic pressures linked to the Middle East crisis. Through the combination of targeted financial assistance and existing social protection programs, the government aims to provide immediate relief while helping families maintain greater stability during challenging economic conditions.
