President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expanded the government's Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program to cover 7.5 million households as it moves to cushion families from higher fuel and living costs triggered by tensions in the Middle East. The new financial assistance will cost at least P25 billion until the end of 2026. The expanded package provides a one-time P2,000 cash aid to 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Walang Gutom program, a P2,000 monthly subsidy from July to December for 1.5 million low-income Social Security System members, and extended assistance to 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified under the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System. The administration is also seeking the swift passage of the proposed UPLIFT law.
Cebu Pacific, the budget carrier brand of the Gokongwei Group’s listed unit Cebu Air Inc., has signed a wet lease agreement with Vietnam Airlines as the Philippine carrier looks to generate more revenue from its growing fleet.
The Philippines made progress in reducing child labor in 2025, but the gains came with a troubling twist. More Filipino children entered the workforce even as the number trapped in hazardous or exploitative work remained stubbornly high.