UPLIFT cash assistance reaches over 14K Masbate families

By Ernie Delgado

MASBATE CITY --- Over 14,300 low-income and near-poor families in Masbate province have each received a cash grant of P2,000 to help them cope with rising commodity prices due to the ongoing energy crisis.

The assistance, provided under the expanded Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was distributed during payouts that began on July 20 in the mining town of Aroroy.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said the program is the latest round of financial assistance for families or individuals affected by the energy emergency linked to the Middle East crisis.

“This assistance is a collective effort to ensure that help reaches those most affected by the domino effect of global market shifts on fare and food prices,” said Michael Gerome Bellena, chief administrative officer of DSWD Bicol Field Office.

Beneficiaries have expressed gratitude for the support during these challenging times.

Violeta Lula, a 77-year-old farmer from Barangay Manamoc in Aroroy, said she was pleased to receive an augmentation to her monthly social pension.

“Thank you to President Bongbong Marcos and Secretary Rex Gatchalian for their continuous assistance,” she said in Masbate dialect. “I can use this to buy food for my grandchild while I grow my vegetable garden.”

Jocelyn Adobas, a housekeeper from Mandaon, Masbate, said that she plans to use the cash assistance for her college student’s summer schooling.

Farmer Josephine Oliva from Barangay San Antonio in Milagros town said that she will use the funds to purchase fuel for her farm tractor.

“I can finally buy gasoline. The budget can no longer handle the skyrocketing prices of fuel,” she said.

Similarly, farmer Noriel Bolon from Barangay Cagay in Masbate City noted he will use the cash assistance to fuel his machinery.

“We are grateful for the continued support from President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian,” he said. (PIA Bicol/Masbate)