President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced an expanded assistance package under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program, extending targeted cash aid to 7.5 million households, or about 37.5 million Filipinos, to cushion the impact of the continuing global oil supply disruption.
In a recorded message, Marcos said the additional intervention comes as tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East continue to threaten global oil supply, driving up fuel costs and prices of basic goods.
Under the expanded UPLIFT Assistance, 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Walang Gutom Program will receive a one-time additional cash assistance of up to PHP2,000.
The government will also extend the assistance to 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).
Meanwhile, 1.5 million low-income workers and their families whose records have been verified by the Social Security System will receive PHP2,000 monthly from July to December.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, together with other government agencies, will implement the program.
Marcos said the expanded package aims to preserve the purchasing power of Filipino families while protecting livelihoods and maintaining economic stability amid global uncertainties.
He added that the government will use digital platforms to ensure faster, more efficient and more convenient distribution of assistance.
The collapse of a fragile peace agreement resulted in the return of the US and Iran to active combat after weeks of back-channel diplomacy failed, triggering immediate US airstrikes and a naval blockade in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. (PNA)