UPLIFT program strengthens social protection for Tandag City beneficiaries
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY (PIA) — For families with limited income and few economic opportunities, government assistance can provide more than immediate relief. It can serve as a stepping stone toward greater self-reliance and a more secure future.
This is the goal of the program on UPLIFT, or Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, a government initiative under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that provides targeted assistance to vulnerable Filipino families and workers affected by rising prices and economic pressures.
In Tandag City, a total of 2,100 qualified beneficiaries from 21 barangays benefited from the program, according to City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Acting Chief Archie Cabrera. Each beneficiary received P2,000 per release, with five releases scheduled through December 2026, providing sustained assistance to eligible families.
The program seeks to strengthen social protection by helping vulnerable sectors meet basic needs, sustain livelihoods, and build greater economic resilience. For beneficiaries, the assistance can be used to support livelihood activities, skills development, or other interventions suited to their needs.
While the financial assistance may provide immediate relief, its broader value lies in helping families cope with economic challenges and take steps toward greater self-reliance.
“The assistance has given us hope and an opportunity to improve our situation. We are grateful because the government not only provided support but also gave us a chance to move forward,” said Robert Timogan, expressing his gratitude to the government.
The UPLIFT program forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen social protection, inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and livelihood development, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities.
For Tandag City beneficiaries, UPLIFT is more than financial assistance. It is an opportunity to ease immediate economic pressures while building families’ capacity to improve their livelihoods and move toward a more stable future.
With sustained government support and active community participation, the program can help turn assistance into opportunities that strengthen families, promote self-reliance, and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient local economy. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
