The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has so far disbursed PHP114 million in cash aid to 57,105 beneficiaries under the second tranche of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT).

In an interview on Friday, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio said the amount represents the PHP2,000 assistance distributed to qualified beneficiaries across the region from Sept. 14 to Sept. 24.

The beneficiaries are spread across the six provinces, with Camarines Sur recording the highest number at 17,011, followed by Sorsogon with 12,446, Masbate with 12,315, Albay with 7,562, Camarines Norte with 5,333, and Catanduanes with 2,438.

Laurio said the program is being implemented under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to assist Filipino households amid rising fuel and basic commodity prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

“Along with the payout, we continue to encourage beneficiaries to have a verified bank account or digital wallet, to make the delivery of aid in subsequent payouts faster, safer, and more efficient until the end of the year,” he said.

DSWD also provides a help desk and technical assistance to guide beneficiaries through every step of the payout, including registering and verifying their bank accounts or digital wallets.

UPLIFT assistance is part of the government’s ongoing response to help maintain Filipino families’ purchasing power amid challenges caused by price movements in the global market.

Laurio said the beneficiaries are part of Group 2, which comprises poor and near-poor households identified through the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

“Manual payout of the PHP2,000 assistance to Group 2 beneficiaries will continue until Oct. 16. This gives beneficiaries additional time to secure a National ID and enroll their bank or e-wallet accounts for the release of succeeding assistance,” he added. (PNA)