At least 1,848 poor and near-poor households in Daraga, Albay, each received PHP2,000 in financial assistance on Monday under the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol’s (DSWD-5) Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program.

The payout at the Daraga covered court marked the release of the second tranche of the July-to-December assistance, following the first tranche distributed in July.

The UPLIFT assistance is part of the national government’s response to the energy emergency and its impact on low-income and near-poor households. The initiative follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to assist Filipinos affected by the energy emergency.

Farmer Rolando Llana, 44, of Barangay (village) Balinad, said the assistance is a big help to families struggling with their livelihood, particularly amid extreme heat that has affected his ability to plant.

He said he may use the assistance as additional capital for his small store.

Driver Reyann Musa, 32, of Barangay Lacag, said the PHP2,000 assistance can help meet his family’s daily needs.

“For me, even PHP2,000 is a big help. I can use it to buy rice, viand, milk for my child, and other expenses,” Musa said.

Vendor Evelyn Llames, 66, of Barangay Bigao, said the assistance would help families like hers who are struggling to make ends meet.

“It is a big help to people like us who are struggling. It can help with our daily needs,” Llames said.

Meanwhile, vendor and therapist Mary Cris Cimanes, 43, of Barangay Kilicao, said the assistance would help her family, particularly with her children’s educational needs.

Cimanes also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the assistance and expressed hope that more families would receive support through similar government programs. (PNA)