The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) began the rollout of cash assistance under the expanded Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program this week. The initiative, announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., targets 7.5 million households to provide financial relief amid an energy emergency and rising fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.
According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the program is designed to restore purchasing power lost to inflation, with a specific emphasis on low-wage earners and “near-poor” households. The ₱2,000 aid amount was determined based on simulations conducted by the DSWD and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), as well as a fuel energy emergency simulation by the Asian Development Bank.
Beneficiary Groups and Payout Structures
The DSWD has divided the 7.5 million eligible households into three distinct groups, each with different payout durations and eligibility criteria:
- Group 1: Comprising 3.5 million households under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program. These beneficiaries will receive a one-time payout of ₱2,000. Secretary Gatchalian clarified that this is a one-time grant to avoid duplication of aid, as these households already receive regular government assistance.
- Group 2: Comprising 2.5 million poor and near-poor households. This group includes families identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. Those who are not 4Ps members, including “near-poor” households (those slightly above or 25% above the poverty line), will receive ₱2,000 monthly for six months (July to December 2026).
- Group 3: Comprising 1.5 million low-income workers. They will receive ₱2,000 monthly for six months (July to December 2026).
Payment Methods and Schedules
The DSWD has established different disbursement channels based on the beneficiary group to ensure efficient delivery:
| Beneficiary Group | Payout Method | Start Date / Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Walang Gutom Program | Manual payouts during scheduled food redemption | July 20, 2026 |
| 4Ps (Existing) | Direct credit to GCash or Land Bank accounts | July 21, 2026 |
| 4Ps (New with accounts) | Over-the-counter at LandBank branches | July 21, 2026 |
| CBMS Households (Group 2) | Initial manual payout; subsequent digital payments via GCash or LandBank | July 20, 2026 |
| Low-Wage Earners (Group 3) | Automatic credit to enrolled SSS disbursement accounts | Week of July 20, 2026 |
Secretary Gatchalian noted that local government units will assist in organizing payout schedules for Group 2, though he emphasized that the beneficiary list was sourced solely from the PSA’s CBMS and not from local or national officials.
Funding and Economic Context
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the Department of Budget and Management released ₱12.375 billion for the payouts on July 15. These funds were sourced from government savings following economic measures under National Budget Circular Nos. 602 and 603, implemented after the President declared a state of national energy emergency in March.
The program serves as a response to the Middle East crisis, which began with the outbreak of war on February 28 and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran. Despite some easing in crude prices, National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa warned on July 7 that the conflict remains a major factor for overall inflation. While the government previously provided subsidies to farmers, fisherfolk, and transport workers, this expanded UPLIFT program aims to cover a broader range of vulnerable sectors, including tax-paying near-poor earners.
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