MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced the expansion of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program, providing targeted cash assistance to 7.5 million households, or about 37.5 million Filipinos, to help cushion the effects of the continuing global oil supply disruption.

In a recorded message, Marcos said the expanded assistance package was prompted by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East, which continue to threaten global oil supplies and drive up fuel prices and the cost of basic commodities.

Under the expanded UPLIFT program, 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program will receive a one-time additional cash assistance of up to PHP2,000.

The government will also provide the same assistance to 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

In addition, 1.5 million low-income workers and their families with verified records from the Social Security System (SSS) will receive PHP2,000 monthly from July to December.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with other government agencies, will oversee the implementation of the expanded assistance program.

Marcos said the additional support aims to protect the purchasing power of Filipino families, safeguard livelihoods and help maintain economic stability amid global uncertainties.

He added that the government will utilize digital platforms to speed up the distribution of assistance and make the process more efficient and convenient for beneficiaries.

According to the President, the expanded aid package comes as the collapse of a fragile peace agreement led to renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran after weeks of back-channel diplomacy failed, resulting in US airstrikes and a naval blockade following Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.PNA