DSWD-7 launches UPLIFT financial aid to shield CV families from rising inflation

CEBU CITY — To protect vulnerable Filipino households from the sting of rising inflation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII rolled out the national government's Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) assistance program across Central Visayas.  

Across Central Visayas, a total of 152,672 qualified household beneficiaries have been identified across 101 LGUs. Among these, 98,350 are situated in Cebu Province, while 54,322 are in Bohol.

The first wave of payouts was on July 20, delivering vital financial relief to families impacted by escalating fuel costs and economic ripples linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  

During the initial launch, DSWD-7 served 1,503 poor and near-poor households categorized under the program's Group 2 tier, providing each recipient with Php 2,000 in direct cash assistance.

Concurrently, rollout began for Group 1 beneficiaries, comprising families already enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).  

The initial rollout covered six key local government units (LGUs) in the region. In Bohol, the municipalities of Buenavista and Getafe with 400 beneficiaries, at 200 beneficiaries each town.

Cebu has registered the municipalities of Aloguinsan with 189 beneficiarie; Badian with 207; Borbon with 190 and Mandaue City with 205 beneficiaries.

To prevent political interference and ensure transparency, eligible beneficiaries were mapped out independently using data from the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) managed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in partnership with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).  

To ensure fast and transparent distribution, DSWD Field Office VII is leveraging its HAPSAY (Harmonized Actions and Processes for Swift, Accountable Yield) framework—the same streamlined strategy utilized for transport sector cash relief operations.

While initial payouts were distributed manually to verify identities and link preferred payment methods, subsequent disbursements are transitioning to digital distribution channels, including direct electronic bank transfers via Landbank and registered e-wallets.  

"By streamlining our processes, we ensure that beneficiaries can access their assistance promptly and without unnecessary delays," stated DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero.

What is the UPLIFT Program?

Established under Executive Order No. 110, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the UPLIFT framework was enacted as a whole-of-government initiative to safeguard purchasing power, maintain supply chains, and mitigate energy emergency shocks triggered by global developments.  

The program's social protection component, spearheaded by the DSWD, divides target beneficiaries into three distinct streams:

Group 1 are existing social safety net families such as the 4Ps and Walang Gutom Program under the DSWD National Database with One-time cash support.

Group 2 are poor and near-poor non-4Ps households identified through the PSA 2024 CBMS Data with monthly Php 2,000 cash aid.

Group 3 are low-income wage earners as listed from the SSS and 2024 CBMS Data with target wage protection subsidies.

By bridging the gap for low-income and "near-poor" families who often fall just outside standard social safety nets, the UPLIFT rollout aims to prevent over a million Filipino families nationwide from slipping below the poverty line amid global economic pressures. (Photos: DSWD7)

DSWD7 steps up social protection campaign across Central Visayas

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 intensified its social protection campaigns across Central Visayas, executing a massive twin-program rollout that addresses both economic inflation for transport workers and nutritional security for poor families.

As of June 21, 2026, the DSWD7 successfully distributed ₱362.4 million in financial assistance to 72,495 drivers in Central Visayas, while simultaneously preparing to dispatch critical food supplies to over 25,000 households under its flagship anti-hunger initiative.

Under its newly implemented HAPSAY (Harmonized Actions and Processes for Swift, Accountable Yield) framework, DSWD7 completely streamlined its payout process to eliminate unnecessary red tape.

By coordinating in advance with local government units (LGUs), transport network companies, the DICT, and the LTFRB-7, the agency reduced the massive distribution down to a strict two-step process: verification and immediate cash release.

A total of 72,495 public utility and delivery drivers received a flat rate of ₱5,000 in Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) to offset rising operational costs. Breakdown of driver beneficiaries included Tricycle Drivers: 36,575; Motorcycle Taxi Drivers: 16,364; Delivery Service Drivers: 11,647; Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) Drivers: 4,528 and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) Drivers: 3,381.

To protect the massive influx of drivers from the dangerously high heat indices recorded across the region, DSWD7 partnered with SM Supermalls. Venues at SM Consolacion and SM Seaside City Cebu were provided entirely free of charge, offering air-conditioned, well-ventilated spaces for staggered payouts that spanned from April to June 2026.

"We want to deliver excellent public service, which means making things as straightforward as possible for our clients," said DSWD7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, noting that the HAPSAY framework aligns with the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) push for leaner government operations.

Walang Gutom Program targets 25,000 Households

Meanwhile, DSWD7 is also moving forward with its 6th Food Redemption Month (FRM), active from June 15 to July 3, 2026. The program targets 25,537 food-insecure families across 89 participating LGUs in Central Visayas.

Approved beneficiaries will be able to redeem food packages valued at ₱3,000.00 using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at DSWD-accredited retailers. Expected beneficiaries include Cebu with 21,225 households composed of 53 Municipalities & Cities; and Bohol with 4,312 households in 36 Municipalities & Cities.

Lucero bared that there are critical eligibility guidelines with this program.  She clarified that for this specific sixth redemption cycle, only households registered under Listahanan 3 (the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction) are eligible to claim their packages. Redemptions for households registered under the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) are temporarily on hold.

Lucero urges beneficiaries to maintain close contact with their local barangays, LGUs, or Community Engagement Coordinators (CECs) to verify specific redemption schedules and retail locations to avoid logistical confusion. (Photos: DSWD7)

Some 373 PLHIV clients in Central Visayas receive aid from DSWD7

CEBU CITY— Some 373 people living with HIV (LPHIV) in Central Visayas received aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 through the agency’s Community-Based Services Section–PLHIV Assistance and Psychosocial Support Program from January to April 2026.

DSWD7 provides comprehensive support to help affected families of PLHIV overcome economic challenges.  These include psychosocial care and support services in accordance with Section 36 of Republic Act No. 11166 that offers economic assistance such as education, livelihood, burial or funeral expenses, transportation, medical needs, and food support.

This provision aims to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on affected individuals and their families while ensuring their well-being.  PLHIV clients in Central Visayas received a total of  P4,000 cash assistance for their immediate needs.

Aside from cash assistance, DSWD-7 also offers a free wireless mental health and psychosocial support service for individuals and families experiencing crisis situations. The program operates through online and wireless platforms such as text messaging, email, websites, and Facebook.

PLHIV clients may also avail themselves of medical assistance for their maintenance needs through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), provided they meet the assessment and documentary requirements.

DSWD-7 also actively partners with government and nongovernment organizations in providing immediate support to persons living with HIV. The agency accepts referrals from nongovernment organizations (NGOs) for cash aid assistance and psychosocial support services.

Recently, the DSWD7 through the Community-Based Services Section – PLHIV Assistance and Psychosocial Support Program, participated in the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held at the Cebu City Health Department in May 2026. (Photos: DSWD7 & Google Images)

 

 

DSWD-7 disburses over P74.2M in cash assistance to 14K tricycle drivers in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 had disbursed a total of ₱74,290,000 in cash assistance under its Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) program for the 14,858 tricycle drivers across Central Visayas distributed during the National Simultaneous Payout as of April 2026.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Operations Paul Ledesma and Field Office 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero engaged with the recipients at the event, with beneficiaries coming from the 10 cities in Cebu and Bohol, with each qualified tricycle driver receiving ₱5,000 in financial aid with the local government units facilitating the payout operations.

Dominador Alforque, a beneficiary from Cebu City shared his experience upon receiving the money.  “Dako kaayo ning gamit jud namo tungod sa sige’g saka sa gasolina ron. Ang proseso, wala ray lima ka minuto—approved dayon!” (This is a big help for us due to the non-stop increase in gasoline prices.  The process only took five minutes, approval is immediate.)

Amadeo Pilos, a beneficiary from Tagbilaran City, Bohol agreed on the fast and immediate processing of the documents from verification to approval only took minutes and the DSWD staff were very accommodating.

“Our mission is clear: to ensure that timely assistance reaches our tricycle drivers who are most affected by the rising fuel costs. With the guidance of our Secretary, DSWD-7 successfully carried out the payout through the collective effort of the agency and the LGUs.  Moreover, this initiative would not have been as successful without the trust and cooperation of our beneficiaries,” Lucero said, adding that a special payout will be conducted for beneficiaries who were unable to claim their cash assistance during the initial rollout, with the schedule to be announced soon.

The Central Visayas beneficiaries included those from Tagbilaran City with 2,755 tricycle drivers; Bogo City with 1,649; Danao City with 377; Mandaue City with 1,548; Cebu City with 591:  Lapu-Lapu City with 3,487; Talisay City with 1,749; City of Naga with 148; Carcar City with 1,102; and Toledo City with 1,452 beneficiaries.

Lucero said that the cash assistance aims to help ease the financial burden of tricycle drivers affected by the continuous increase in fuel prices amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. To ensure a fast and orderly distribution of assistance, DSWD-7 deployed personnel across the 10 local government units (LGUs) to facilitate the payout operations.

The agency also worked closely with partner LGUs in providing venues, medical stations, verification teams, and security personnel to ensure a safe, organized, and convenient payout process for beneficiaries. Through active coordination with LGUs and partner agencies, no untoward incidents were reported during the payouts.

Real-Time monitoring and transparency enhanced the smoother flow of the payout operations, which system allowed the agency to efficiently track disbursements, avoid duplication, and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process. The same system will be used by the Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) team to ensure accurate, fast, and reliable data in future payouts, Lucero said highlighting the strong collaboration among stakeholders. (Photos: DSWD7-FB Posts)

 

 

DSWD7, DOLE7 unite to strengthen efforts against child labor in Cebu

MALABUYOC, Cebu-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Regional Field Office 7 and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) joined hands to strengthen efforts against child labor through an Information and Service Caravan on the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program in Malabuyoc town in Cebu, through DSWD’s Strategic Helpdesk for Information, Education, Livelihood, and Other Developmental (SHIELD) project.

The SHIELD project is a community-based initiative aimed at eliminating child labor, particularly its worst forms.  Its objectives include withdrawing children from child labor and provide holistic interventions; strengthen anti-child labor efforts at the local level and establish helpdesks and a local registry on child labor for referral and convergence of support services.

According to SHIELD Program Focal Person Glenda Riel, over 197 child laborers and 120 parents, who are also beneficiaries of DOLE’s TUPAD program, attended the activity at the Malabuyoc, covered court last March, this year.  The DSWD and DOLE joint event aimed to remove children from child labor, prevent new cases, and provide targeted support to affected families through localized, multi-agency services.

The event also raised awareness on child labor laws, promoted education, and offered livelihood assistance, supporting the vision of a child-labor-free Philippines. They also received free meals from food carts, groceries and other essential items.

The activity in Malabuyoc included a tree planting and the signing of a Pledge of Commitment, followed by orientations on Republic Act No. 9231, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, and on available programs and services addressing child labor.

SHIELD program is implemented in 16 regions in the country and data showed that over 12,000 child laborers assisted from 2021 to 2024 with 3,887 minors reintegrated into their families and communities.

Child labor is a significant issue in Central Visayas, SHIELD program bared that there were 7,892 child laborers that were profiled in Central Visayas in 2025, exceeding the target of 7,560 and most of these children are from Negros Oriental, Cebu Province, Siquijor, and the Tri-City Field Office.

The agriculture sector has the highest number of child laborers, with 85,570 recorded in the DSWD Listahanan database.

 In Region 7 alone, over 12,000 child laborers have been assisted by the DSWD from 2021 to 2024 through the SHIELD Against Child Labor Program with 3,887 minors have already been reintegrated with their families and communities, while 400 child laborers received various assistance, including educational support, since 2021.

The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children–7 (RCWC-7), and member agencies of the Regional Council Against Child Labor (RCACL)in Central Visayas, including the Department of Justice Action Center–Region VII (DOJAC-7), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-7), and the Department of Agriculture–Central Visayas (DA-7) were one in support to the local SHIELD caravan in Malabuyoc town.

 

 

DSWD-7 begins listing potential 4Ps beneficiaries for Cebu and Bohol

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 begins posting the list of potential beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang PilipinoProgram (4Ps) across various cities and municipalities in the provinces Cebu and Bohol.

DSWD-7 regional director, Shalaine Marie Lucero bared that the lists of potential beneficiaries are conspicuously displayed in areas such as the barangay halls and other public spaces for transparency and easy access to information for concerned families. Lucero encourages all listed households and the general public to review the posted information and comply with the registration requirements.

“The registration process is designed to be transparent, organized, and supportive. We are working closely with local governments to ensure that eligible families are properly assessed and assisted throughout the process.  With the lists are public notices outlining the step-by-step registration process, required documents, schedule, and designated venues for registration,” Lucero said.

DSWD-7 field staff, particularly the 4Ps City and Municipal Links, are closely coordinating with Local Government Units (LGUs) and barangay officials to ensure the orderly dissemination of information and smooth implementation of registration activities, Lucero added.

Lucero bared that families categorized as “poor” or “near-poor” in the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) database are eligible for the 4Ps registration if they meet key socio-demographic requirements. These include households with pregnant women, children up to age 18, or those experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities.

“Preference are given to families with a greater number of children, those with younger dependents who require sustained health and nutrition support, and those belonging to vulnerable sectors such as solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWD), Indigenous Peoples (IPs), senior citizens acting as primary caregivers, and families residing in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA),” Lucero shared.

This initiative is in line with the implementation of Republic Act No. 11315, or the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Act, wherein the 4Ps has adopted the CBMS as its Standardized Targeting System (STS).

DSWD-7 called on families officially identified through the CBMS as poor or near-poor are advised to prepare the following documents for validation and registration-- Birth certificates of children; Valid ID of the parent or guardian (e.g., PhilSys ID, UMID, Driver’s License, Voter’s ID, or any government-issued ID); Marriage certificate (if applicable); School ID or Certificate of Enrollment (for children currently attending school); Solo Parent ID / Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ID / other proof of vulnerability (if applicable); Affidavit of Guardianship or any legal proof of guardianship (if the caregiver is not the biological parent).

Under 4Ps policies and consistent with identity verification requirements, all household members must be registered in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) prior to registration. (Photos: DSWD-7)

 

DSWD-7 continues to conduct rounds of reach-out activities in Metro Cebu

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7-Central Visayas continues to conduct rounds of reach-out activities across Metro Cebu to reach children, individuals, and families living in street situations through the Pag-abot Program.

With the establishment of the Pag-abot Processing Center (PCC), these reach-out operations have intensified, with support from partner stakeholders, including the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices and Anti-Mendicancy Offices of the highly urbanized cities.

DSWD-7 regional director, Shalaine Lucero said these street dwellers reached by DSWD are profiled and, with their consent, brought to the PCC where they are provided with appropriate care and interventions to prepare them for reintegration into their hometowns and communities.

The goal is to help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society, Lucero said. The Pag-abot Program is one of DSWD’s flagship initiatives that aims to provide a better future for children, individuals, and families living on the streets through comprehensive social protection packages and interventions.

 

    PBBM inaugurated DSWD’s 3^rd Pag-Abot Processing Center in Liloan

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive social protection, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. inaugurated the Pag-abot Processing Center (PPC) in Barangay Tayud, Liloan, Cebu, February 26 during his visit in Cebu of the same date.

This is the third PPC in Central Visayas that provides comprehensive social protection services for children, individuals, and families in street situations while awaiting reintegration.  “The facility will cater to the three major cities in Cebu—Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City to ensure the welfare of Families and Individuals in Street Situations (FISS),” DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian emphasized that the agency will link beneficiaries to long-term support programs, including economic assistance, livelihood opportunities, educational support, and other social protection services, to prevent FISS from returning to street situations.

Gatchalan shared that in Cebu, there are more than 600 homeless individuals have been recorded by the DSWD which is implementing the Pag-Abot Program to help families and individuals in street situations.  The program provides health services, food, clothing, psychosocial and livelihood support, temporary housing, and family reintegration to help beneficiaries move toward stable and dignified lives.

DSWD secretary Gatchalian briefed President Marcos as they toured the Pag-Abot Processing Center, visiting the clinic, processing area for beneficiary assessment, profiling, biometrics, and clothing distribution, storage, and laundry area, kitchen and dining hall, administrative office, senior citizens’ room, isolation room, and prayer and activity areas.

The Center is equipped with clinics, regular rooms, rooms with individual toilets and baths, a communal comfort room with five toilets and four showers, an administrative office, an activity area, a prayer room, a kitchen and dining area, a conference room, a profiling area, a baggage counter, a stockroom, and a laundry area with clotheslines.

The PPC facility can accommodate over 120 beneficiaries and it provides temporary shelter for about one month as part of a structured reintegration process aimed at restoring stability and creating opportunities.

The DSWD Field Office VII continues to conduct proactive reach-out operations for individuals and families in street situations across the Cities of Cebu, Bogo, Carcar, Danao, Naga, Talisay and Toledo — strengthening the government’s whole-of-nation approach to uplift lives and build safer, more inclusive communities. (Photos: DSWD7)