MANILA, Philippines — Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program will receive a one-time payout under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Assistance Program, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian clarified.
During the press conference launch of the UPLIFT Assistance Program, Gatchalian said the one-time assistance is designed to prevent the duplication of government aid while ensuring that more Filipinos affected by rising fuel prices and inflation can benefit from the program.
The DSWD chief emphasized that the assistance is not a monthly subsidy for 4Ps and Walang Gutom beneficiaries since they continue to receive regular cash grants under their respective social protection programs.
“The whole purpose, bakit Php2,000? Kasi pinipilit natin i-restore ‘yung nawawalang purchasing power nila because of inflationary effects. Mas mabigat ang binibigyang emphasis nito sa mga nasa gitna, ‘yung Group 2, Group 3. Sila ‘yung mga low-wage earners, ‘yung mga kumikita na nababawasan ang payroll every month because of different taxes. So, sila ‘yung binibigyan natin ng emphasis, pati na rin ‘yung near poor, kung tawagin. Kaya ‘yung disenyo nito is in their favor,” Gatchalian said.
He explained that the ₱2,000 assistance aims to help restore the purchasing power lost to inflation, particularly among low-income workers and near-poor households, while extending support to other vulnerable sectors.
Gatchalian also assured the public that the implementation of the UPLIFT Assistance Program will not affect the regular benefits received by 4Ps and Walang Gutom beneficiaries, as both programs will continue alongside the new initiative.
The UPLIFT Assistance Program targets around 7.5 million Filipino families affected by rising oil prices and the increasing cost of basic commodities. Aside from 4Ps and Walang Gutom beneficiaries, the program also covers qualified low-income workers and other eligible vulnerable sectors identified by the government. Ericka Trinidad, Contributor