On February 15, 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) piloted the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) registration initiative for beneficiaries enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Brgy. Kilicao, Daraga, Albay. This activity signifies a significant step towards enhancing access to social protection programs and services for marginalized communities.

The activity comes from a memorandum issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary in January this year. The directive emphasizes the importance of registering DSWD beneficiaries and their children, especially those residing in 4Ps households, to ensure a more efficient, targeted, and equitable delivery of social welfare assistance.

Grantees and household members aged five years and above who were registered with PSA before February 1, 2024, are eligible to avail themselves of the Family Development Sessions (FDS) equivalency, provided they undergo identity verification through biometric authentication using the PhilSys Authentication Application.

During identity verification, beneficiaries must provide their PhilSys Card Number printed on the front of the PhilID or ePhilID and have their fingerprints scanned using a fingerprint scanning device. If the response from PhilSys indicates NO MATCH, it signifies that the verification of identity has failed, and beneficiaries need to register to avail themselves of the FDS Equivalency.

Joanna May Sigalat, a 30-year-old 4Ps beneficiary with three monitored children, expressed gratitude for the convenience brought by the PSA registration and authentication process.

“Malaking tulong sa amin itong registration at authentication ng PSA kasi hindi na kami magpapamasahe papuntang Regional Office. Lalo na ako, may 6 na taong gulang na anak na pinaregister sa ngayon” (This registration and authentication by PSA are a big help to us because we no longer need to travel to the Regional Office. Especially for me, I have a 6-year-old child who needs to be registered now), she shared.

She also highlighted the significance of obtaining a national ID as a 4Ps beneficiary, stating that it streamlines government transactions for them.

Captain Arnel Baliduya of Brgy. Kilicao expressed his appreciation to PSA and DSWD for bringing the registration service closer to his constituents.

“Sa dinami-dami po ng barangay sa Albay, nagpapasalamat kami na dito sinimulan ng PSA ang registration at authentication sa mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps. Malaking tulong ito sa kanila lalo na’t hindi sila babyahe ng malayo bitbit ang kanilang mga anak upang iparehistro.” (Amidst the many barangays in Albay, we are grateful that PSA initiated the registration and authentication for 4Ps beneficiaries here. This is a big help to them, especially since they won’t have to travel far with their children to register), he stated.

As of October 31, 2023, DSWD records indicate that there are 23,911,017 active individuals who are 4Ps beneficiaries, including their children aged 5 years old and above, without a PhilSys Card Number or PCN.

The primary objective of PhilSys registration is to grant all Filipinos access to financial, social protection, health, education, and other government services. The national ID obtained through PhilSys facilitates applying for social welfare benefits, passports, driver’s licenses, tax-related transactions, voter identification, and senior citizen benefits.

The launch of PhilSys registration in Brgy. Kilicao, Daraga, Albay, signifies a significant milestone towards achieving inclusive and efficient social welfare systems for Filipino communities.