The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will start distributing cash assistance under the expanded UPLIFT program on Monday, targeting 7.5 million households including 4Ps beneficiaries, near-poor families, and low-wage workers, with each receiving up to 2,000 pesos over six months until December 2026 in response to rising fuel prices.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development ( DSWD) has announced the start of the cash aid distribution under the expanded United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program, set to begin on Monday.
According to DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the initiative will cover 7.5 million households in total. The first group includes 3.5 million households already registered in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program. The second group consists of 2.5 million households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System as impoverished families listed by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The third group comprises 5 million workers who are employed but have a monthly salary credit below 20,000 pesos.
These beneficiaries from Groups 2 and 3 will receive a one-time cash assistance of up to 2,000 pesos over the next six months, or until December 2026. The expansion of UPLIFT was announced by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. in response to rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict. For Group 1 (4Ps and Walang Gutom beneficiaries), the assistance is an additional one-time aid of up to 2,000 pesos.
For Group 2 (near-poor households not in 4Ps, slightly above the poverty line), the aid is also up to 2,000 pesos. Group 3 (SSS members with monthly salary credit of 20,000 pesos and below) will receive a similar amount. The DSWD explained that the 2,000 peso value was determined based on the Asian Development Bank's fuel energy emergency simulation and a study conducted with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
The distribution aims to provide immediate relief to vulnerable sectors amid economic pressures caused by geopolitical tensions affecting fuel prices. The program underscores the government's effort to support low-income and near-poor families, as well as low-wage workers, through targeted cash assistance. The DSWD emphasized that the aid will be distributed systematically, leveraging existing databases to ensure efficient delivery. The expanded UPLIFT reflects a broader social safety net strategy to mitigate the impact of external shocks on the most affected populations.
This move aligns with the administration's commitment to protect the welfare of Filipino families during times of economic uncertainty. The cash distribution is expected to begin as scheduled, with the DSWD coordinating with local government units to reach eligible households across the country. The initiative also highlights the role of data-driven approaches in identifying beneficiaries, using systems like the Community-Based Monitoring System and the Philippine Statistics Authority's poverty lists.
The program's timeline extends until December 2026, ensuring that the assistance is provided over a sustained period to help families cope with ongoing financial challenges. The DSWD reiterated that the aid is non-repeatable and will be given once per eligible household or individual, depending on the group classification. This clarification aims to prevent misunderstandings about the frequency and amount of assistance.
The government's response to rising fuel costs includes not only cash transfers but also broader livelihood and food support under the UPLIFT framework. The DSWD's statement reinforces the importance of timely intervention to address the immediate needs of the poor and near-poor. By expanding the coverage to include tax-paying beneficiaries and low-wage workers, the program acknowledges the widening economic vulnerability due to external factors.
The collaboration with international and local think tanks like ADB and PIDS ensures that the assistance amount is calculated based on evidence and simulations of emergency scenarios. Overall, the expanded UPLIFT program represents a significant step in the Philippines' social protection system, aiming to provide a buffer against price shocks and support household consumption. The rollout of the cash aid is a critical component of the government's broader economic resilience strategy
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