Another ‘ayuda’: P12,000 each for 7.5M families, says Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — The government is extending another round of financial assistance to more than 7 million poor and low-income households affected by rising oil prices driven by the renewed conflict in the Middle East by providing them up to P12,000 each in cash aid.

In a recorded video statement released on Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government would expand its support to Filipinos through the P12.375-billion United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) assistance program to be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Under this program, immediate aid will be provided to 7.5 million households, or 37.5 million Filipinos, across the country,” he added.

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According to the president, 1.5 million low-income workers and their families whose records have been verified by the Social Security System (SSS) will receive P2,000 per month from July through December — or P12,000 for the entire six months.

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The same amount of assistance will also be received by the 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the budget for this was sourced from “offered savings per National Budget Circular 602 and 603 as approved per Office of the President.”

Daily needs

Meanwhile, a one-time additional cash assistance of up to P2,000 will be granted to 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program.

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“The objective of Uplift Assistance is to help ensure that Filipino families can continue to meet their everyday needs. At the same time, we have expanded the program’s coverage so that more Filipinos can benefit from this assistance,” Marcos said.

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“The government will ensure that this assistance is delivered quickly, efficiently, and more conveniently through digital means,” he added.

The Uplift Assistance is the second wave of financial aid from the government under Marcos’ Executive Order No. 110, placing the entire country under a one-year national state of energy emergency.

During the first round of cash aid, which started in late March for Metro Manila and in April for other parts of the country, the government implemented targeted assistance to sectors most affected by increases in fuel prices, such as transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and low-income families.

Under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), P5,000 cash assistance was given to each qualified public transport worker to help them cope with the increase in fuel costs and protect their daily income.

As of July 14, more than 1.8 million transport workers nationwide have received aid.

The government also implemented fuel subsidies for qualified jeepneys and UV Express vans, amounting to P1,500 per week for three months.

The Department of Transportation also implemented from April to May a service contracting program for PUVs, which covered around 50,000 PUVs and benefited up to 15 million passengers.

No aid for middle class

Malacañang conceded there would be no cash assistance for middle-class Filipinos, or a family of five who earn between P19,040 and P114,020 per month as defined by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Castro said the middle class may indirectly benefit from government programs and policies, including the suspension of fare hikes of PUVs as well as slashed toll fees and port fees for agricultural products, which could prevent the increase of prices of basic goods and commodities.

“Our priority is to help those who are truly in need. We know that all Filipinos are feeling the effects of the crisis in the Middle East. But we must also remember that the government’s budget has to be allocated carefully and balanced to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most as quickly as possible,” Castro said.

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“If the government had unlimited resources, this would not be an issue. But given the budget constraints, the government is making the most of the available funds. Everything is being done, especially to prioritize those who are in greatest need of assistance,” she added. /cb /atm