The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) says it has enough money to sustain cash assistance through the end of 2026 for all 7.5 million intended beneficiaries of the expanded UPLIFT program, as the government braces for higher fuel prices from renewed fighting in the Middle East.
The assurance came out of a meeting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto convened September 17, acting on President Marcos’ instructions to keep fuel supply stable and have relief programs ready before prices climb further.
“Two straits are now blocked and fuel prices are climbing again. Although they remain below April’s peak, we should not be complacent. We should not wait for prices to reach their worst before the government responds,” Recto said.
“Malinaw ang utos ng Pangulo: kumilos agad, unahan ang paglala ng sitwasyon, at protektahan ang bawat Pilipino,” he added.
UPLIFT covers transport workers, farmers, and fishers, and of the 7.5 million intended beneficiaries, 5.79 million have already received a combined PHP 11.80 billion in cash assistance.
The Department of Energy (DOE) backed up the funding assurance with supply numbers: domestic fuel stocks, as of September 14, were enough for 57.2 days of gasoline, 60.8 days of diesel, and 39.3 days of LPG.
Transport relief is also widening. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) raised fuel discounts from PHP 10 to PHP 12 per liter – worth up to PHP 1,800 a week for qualified beneficiaries – with 3,633 fuel stations now honoring the discount.
Toll exemptions for provincial buses continue, the PITX terminal fee waiver for public utility vehicles runs through year-end, and 86 SM terminals nationwide have waived their monthly fees. Commuters separately get 50-percent fare cuts on MRT-3 and LRT-2, a PHP 1 roll-on/roll-off terminal fee, and Libreng Sakay rides.
For overseas Filipinos caught up in the conflict, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said funds remain available for repatriation – 14,026 have been brought home and given reintegration assistance as of September 11.
Agriculture officials reported PHP 6.03 billion disbursed to 2.59 million farmers and fishers, with added fuel assistance for 7,185 fishers and 13,701 farmers. The Department of Agriculture (DA) also flagged falling fertilizer prices and preparations for possible El Niño effects on production.
On jobs and health, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it can expand TUPAD emergency employment – 20,717 served under TUPAD Tuloy Pasada, 195,638 among farmers and fishers overall – while the Department of Health (DOH) said its indigent-patient assistance program has reached more than 2.5 million patients through 1,773 partner facilities.
Recto said the government will keep watching how the Middle East situation affects oil prices, supply chains, and inflation, with the UPLIFT Committee positioned to scale up aid if conditions worsen.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino, DBM Secretary Kim Robert de Leon, DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado, DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, DOE Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, and DA Undersecretary Nichols A. Manalo attended the meeting.
