BACOLOD City — The Department of Social Welfare and Development–Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) has clarified that bedridden or physically incapacitated beneficiaries are not required to personally appear at payout venues after a viral video showed an UPLIFT beneficiary being carried by relatives using a bamboo pole and blankets to a payout site in Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the DSWD-NIR said the incident should not be interpreted as a requirement for bedridden or physically incapacitated beneficiaries to personally appear at payout sites to receive government assistance.
The agency clarified that the scheduled UPLIFT payout for Binalbagan is set for August 18, 2026.
Under existing payout procedures, beneficiaries who are bedridden or physically unable to travel do not need to personally attend the payout.
A family member listed in the beneficiary’s family roster may claim the assistance on the beneficiary’s behalf without presenting an authorization letter, the DSWD-NIR said.
The arrangement is intended to ensure that physical limitations do not prevent qualified beneficiaries from accessing government assistance.
The DSWD-NIR also said it has mechanisms for beneficiaries who are unable to travel to designated payout venues.
These include house-to-house payouts for beneficiaries who are bedridden or confined in hospitals, as well as appropriate arrangements for qualified beneficiaries who are in correctional facilities.
The agency further clarified that beneficiary verification is conducted on the actual day of the scheduled payout.
Designated DSWD personnel conduct the verification as the first step in the payout process to ensure that assistance is released only to qualified beneficiaries or authorized family members in accordance with program guidelines.
The clarification came after the video circulated online and drew public attention to the manner in which the beneficiary was brought to the payout area.
The DSWD-NIR reiterated its commitment to providing accessible, responsive and inclusive social protection services, particularly for beneficiaries facing physical or other circumstances that make it difficult to personally access government assistance.
The agency also urged the public to rely on its official channels and verified announcements for accurate information about UPLIFT and other social protection programs./PN
