Photo courtesy of DSWD-5
More than 2,100 poor and near-poor families in Masbate City received financial assistance totaling Php 4.296 million under the government’s Unified Package in Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Tuesday.
Each of the 2,148 recipients received Php 2,000 during payouts held from August 12 to 15. The beneficiaries were selected using household data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System.
DSWD-Bicol Director Norman Laurio said the assistance was provided as families faced higher prices of basic commodities and petroleum products amid the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
The agency had been monitoring the rollout of UPLIFT in the region as part of the government’s response to economic pressures affecting vulnerable households.
The Masbate distribution wrapped up the initial round of UPLIFT payouts for eligible poor and near-poor households across the Bicol Region, according to the DSWD.
Separately, 3,998 indigent senior citizens in Camalig, Albay, received a combined Php 11.994 million in social pension assistance during payouts on August 12 and 13.
Each beneficiary received Php 3,000, covering three months of benefits at Php 1,000 per month under the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program.
The two programs provide different forms of assistance, with UPLIFT aimed at households facing increased living costs and the social pension providing regular financial support to qualified indigent senior citizens.