Over 71K beneficiaries across Caraga receive cash aid through UPLIFT program
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program has begun to make a tangible impact across the Caraga region, with more than 71,000 beneficiaries already receiving their P2,000 cash assistance.
Implemented under Executive Order No. 110 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the initiative seeks to stabilize the energy, food, and transport sectors while extending relief to poor and near-poor families.
Since its rollout in July, the program has reached 71,791 beneficiaries out of 107,730 identified recipients, marking a 66.64% payout rate as of August 14. In total, P143.582 million has been disbursed. Still, 35,939 beneficiaries remain unpaid as distribution continues across the provinces.
In Agusan del Norte, 13,385 individuals have received their aid, while 16,367 are still awaiting payout. Agusan del Sur has recorded 30,417 paid beneficiaries, with 12,088 yet to be served. The Dinagat Islands show one of the highest completion rates at 79%, with 3,307 out of 4,190 beneficiaries already assisted. Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte has reached 7,143 out of 8,936 recipients, and Surigao del Sur has disbursed aid to 17,539 out of 22,347 identified beneficiary families.
For those who missed claiming their cash aid during the scheduled payout due to incomplete documents or other valid reasons, local government units (LGUs), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD)-Caraga, have set special payout schedules to accommodate all qualified beneficiaries.
For many, the assistance has provided critical relief amid rising costs of living. Remando Dalauta, a 59-year-old utility worker from Butuan City, shared how the program has eased his struggles as a widower raising four children.
“It has been very difficult for me to budget the minimum wage I am receiving, since as a widower, I’d have to provide for the basic and educational needs of my four young children on my own. The rising prices of commodities added to my burden, which is why government assistance such as this [UPLIFT] is already a huge help for me,” he said.
Similarly, Judith Buque, a street vendor and mother of two, expressed gratitude for the support. “The P2,000 cash assistance may seem small for some. But for us, this is already a big help. I appreciate the efforts of the DSWD and the national government for coming up with this kind of aid. I will use the money I received to add to my business’s capital so I can earn more for my family,” she shared.
The UPLIFT program continues to roll out across Caraga, with government agencies working to ensure that all identified beneficiaries receive their share. For families like Dalauta’s and Buque’s, the aid represents not just financial relief but also a measure of hope amid ongoing economic challenges. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
