President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced the expansion of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by fuel price hikes amid global oil supply risks linked to tensions in the Middle East.

In a video message, Marcos said the program will provide assistance to 7.5 million Filipino households or 37.5 million Filipinos nationwide to help ease the burden of rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of basic goods.

“Mga kababayan, patuloy natin nararamdaman ang epekto ng tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan na nagdudulot ng banta sa pandaigdigang supply ng langis. Nakakaapekto ito sa ating ekonomiya at presyo ng mga bilihin,” Marcos said.

“Kapag tumataas ang gastusin, mas bumibigat ang pasanin ng bawat pamilyang nagsisikap tugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan, lalo na ang mga Pilipinong nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Kaya naman, patuloy tayong kumikilos upang mapagaan ang kanilang pasanin,” he added.

Marcos said the expanded assistance aims to support Filipino families and ensure that they can continue to meet their daily needs amid external economic pressures.

Under Executive Order No. 110, the government launched the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program to protect livelihoods and help maintain economic stability. The UPLIFT Assistance serves as an expansion of the government’s support measures in response to the continuing effects of the Middle East tensions.

The assistance package includes:

• A one-time financial aid of up to P2,000 for 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program;
• Assistance for 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS); and
• P2,000 monthly assistance from July to December for 1.5 million low-income Social Security System (SSS) members and their families

The program will be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with other government agencies.

The President said the assistance will be delivered through faster and more convenient channels, including digital platforms, to ensure that qualified beneficiaries receive the support efficiently.

Marcos emphasized that the government’s response is aimed at protecting the purchasing power and economic capacity of Filipino families affected by global uncertainties.

“Titiyakin ng pamahalaan na maipagkaloob ang tulong na ito nang mabilis, maayos, at mas maginhawa para sa mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng digital na pamamaraan,” he said.

“Sa ating pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan, mapapanatili natin ang katatagan ng ating bansa at maisusulong ang isang mas maunlad na kinabukasan sa ilalim ng isang Bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos said.