The Philippine National Police (PNP) will help secure the nationwide distribution of cash assistance under the expanded Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program this week.

PNP chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Monday the police force is committed to ensuring the safe, orderly, and efficient payout of assistance to qualified beneficiaries, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Nartatez ordered police units to strengthen personnel deployment at payout sites to maintain peace and order and assist in facilitating the distribution.

"The priority is not only to ensure peace and order but to give all the beneficiaries the peace of mind that in cases of emergencies and other eventualities, their PNP would be there to assist them," he said.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the expanded UPLIFT program is the next phase of financial assistance for citizens affected by the energy emergency triggered by the Middle East crisis.

The program covers three groups of beneficiaries: 3.5 million households under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Walang Gutom Program, 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the Philippine Statistics Authority's Community-Based Monitoring System, and 1.5 million low-income members of the Social Security System.

Nartatez said the PNP already has established security protocols for cash aid and fuel subsidy distributions, but directed local commanders to make real-time security adjustments and continuously monitor peace and order conditions.

He also instructed police commanders to prepare for non-security concerns, including medical emergencies, through close coordination with local government units and partner agencies.

"The PNP will also work closely with local government units to ensure the smooth implementation of the program in every distribution area," Nartatez said.