BACOLOD CITY, July 20 -- A total of 10,285 near-poor households in three local government units (LGUs) are the initial beneficiaries of the national government's Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) cash assistance in Negros Occidental.

Data of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) on Monday showed Sagay City has 4,625 beneficiaries; Hinigaran, 3,160 beneficiaries; and Talisay City, 2,500 beneficiaries.

The payouts kicked off in designated venues in the three LGUs and will run until July 24.

Group 2 beneficiaries or households classified as "near-poor" are qualified to receive PHP2,000 each in monthly financial assistance from July to December 2026.

In a sta...