10,000 near-poor households in Negros Occidental get UPLIFT cash aid
BACOLOD CITY – A total of 10,285 near-poor households in three local government units (LGUs) are the initial beneficiaries of the national government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) cash assistance in Negros Occidental.
Data of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) on Monday showed Sagay City has 4,625 beneficiaries; Hinigaran, 3,160 beneficiaries; and Talisay City, 2,500 beneficiaries.
The payouts kicked off in designated venues in the three LGUs and will run until July 24.
Group 2 beneficiaries or households classified as “near-poor” are qualified to receive P2,000 each in monthly financial assistance from July to December 2026.
In a statement, the DSWD-NIR said the UPLIFT program aims to help beneficiaries address their essential needs while strengthening their economic resilience.
“It forms part of DSWD’s continuing commitment to provide responsive social protection interventions and improve the welfare of vulnerable Filipino families through sustained financial assistance,” it added.
In Talisay City, Mayor Rowena Lopez-Lizares thanked the national government for the city’s inclusion in the pilot implementation of UPLIFT program.
“On behalf of the city government of Talisay, Negros Occidental, I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Bongbong Marcos, to the DSWD, and to all our partner-agencies,” the mayor said in her message ahead of the payout held at New Talisay City Public Market.
In Sagay City, one of the beneficiaries, Fema Olaira, was thankful for being able to receive the initial P2,000 cash assistance from UPLIFT.
“This is a huge help. I will use it to buy my husband’s maintenance medication. The remaining amount will go to our other household needs,” she said.
The list of UPLIFT program beneficiaries was generated through the Community-Based Monitoring System of the Philippine Statistics Authority to ensure that the assistance reaches eligible households based on validated socio-economic data.
Those under Group 1, who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Walang Gutom Program, will receive a one-time P2,000 assistance.
Low-income households under Group 3, identified by the Social Security System, will also receive P2,000 a month for six months, from July to December. (PNA)