TABANGO, Leyte — Government assistance has reached more families in Leyte as 1,524 residents of Tabango received financial support through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program.
The payout, welcomed by the Tabango local government, comes as Filipino households continue to grapple with higher costs of basic goods and other daily expenses.
But for Tabango Mayor Maria Corazon Remandaban, the assistance should be viewed as more than short-term cash.
She urged beneficiaries to use the money responsibly and, whenever possible, channel it toward activities that can help generate income and strengthen household finances.
The mayor stressed that government aid should serve as a springboard toward self-reliance, rather than become a permanent source of income.
“Government assistance is meant to help people get back on their feet,” Remandaban said, while encouraging residents to continue working, seek livelihood opportunities, and build a more stable future for their families.
1,524 Tabango residents receive assistance
The latest UPLIFT payout benefited 1,524 residents of Tabango, Leyte, providing additional resources to families dealing with financial pressure.
Among those who received the assistance were residents whose livelihoods depend on small-scale farming and fishing.
Dalmacia Rosales of Barangay Tugas, whose husband is a farmer, said even a relatively small amount can make a difference for their two-member household amid rising prices.
Another beneficiary, Ramil Cabatingan, said the assistance would help his family of three. He earns a living through small-scale fishing.
Their experiences underscore one of the central purposes of the UPLIFT program: providing vulnerable households with temporary financial support while they cope with economic difficulties.
What is UPLIFT?
The UPLIFT program is a national government initiative implemented by the DSWD to provide assistance to vulnerable sectors affected by the economic impact of the continuing energy emergency.
Under the program, beneficiaries are divided into three major groups.
The first group consists of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).
The second covers 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).
The third group consists of 1.5 million low-income Social Security System (SSS) members.
For Group 2 beneficiaries, the government has set ₱2,000 in monthly assistance from July through December 2026, subject to program requirements and availability of funds.
The DSWD said the assistance is intended to help vulnerable households manage the effects of rising costs and protect them from falling deeper into poverty.
Cash aid rollout shifts toward digital payments
The UPLIFT rollout is also moving toward a more digital payment system.
The DSWD said that the initial July payout for Group 2 beneficiaries was conducted manually, while succeeding payments from August through December are scheduled to shift to digital channels.
Beneficiaries have been advised to prepare their eGov PH registration and payment account details, including their chosen digital bank or e-wallet, to facilitate future payouts.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has also been supporting UPLIFT implementation in Leyte.
During the July 20 rollout, PSA-Leyte provided National ID registration and related services at several payout locations, including venues in Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Villaba, Alangalang, and Baybay City.
Aid is relief—but livelihood remains the goal
The Tabango experience reflects a broader government strategy: provide immediate financial assistance while encouraging vulnerable families to move toward greater economic stability.
DSWD Eastern Visayas has similarly described UPLIFT as assistance intended to help households deal with pressing expenses while giving them breathing room during a difficult economic period.
In Tacloban City, for example, 1,714 beneficiaries received UPLIFT assistance during the initial rollout, with recipients saying the funds could help cover necessities such as food, transportation, utilities, and school-related expenses.
The DSWD has said the program is designed to reach 7.5 million poor, near-poor, and low-income households nationwide, making UPLIFT one of the administration’s major targeted assistance initiatives for 2026.
For Tabango officials, however, the bigger challenge begins after the payout.
The cash can help put food on the table, pay urgent bills, or provide capital for a small livelihood—but its long-term impact depends on how families use the assistance.
That is why Mayor Remandaban urged recipients to treat the government support as an opportunity to strengthen their livelihoods rather than as an income they can permanently rely on.
The message from Tabango is straightforward: relief can provide a lifeline, but sustainable livelihood is what can ultimately help families stand on their own.
With continued cooperation between national and local governments, the Tabango LGU hopes programs such as UPLIFT can help vulnerable households transition from immediate assistance toward greater self-reliance and economic resilience.
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