The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has called on all beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to ensure their children aged 0-5 are registered with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). This initiative, highlighted by Gema Gabuya, the national program manager and director of 4Ps, aims to equate the registration and authentication process with the monthly Family Development Session (FDS) requirements for February and March.
Gabuya emphasized that registering young children with PhilSys not only fulfills the FDS compliance but also significantly increases the number of young children who can benefit from having a national ID card. She stated that this step is crucial for ensuring that all members of 4Ps households, especially the youngest, have access to vital government services in the future.
To meet the one-month FDS compliance, the head of the household must register with PhilSys. For two months of compliance, all household members, including children aged 0-5, need to be registered. Beneficiaries must present their transaction reference number or PhilSys card number during the compliance monitoring period from February to March.
This move aligns with DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s directive to expand the reach of the National ID system among 4Ps households, streamlining access to government services. The DSWD introduced the FDS equivalency for PhilSys registration and authentication from October to November 2024.
Registration can be completed at various locations, including barangay halls, malls, FDS co-location venues, and special sites set up by the Philippine Statistics Authority. New registration centers in schools and daycare centers are also being established to facilitate the registration of young 4Ps children.
The Philippine Identification System Act, signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018, aims to provide a single national ID for Filipinos and resident aliens. This ID serves as a valid proof of identity, simplifying transactions in both public and private sectors, including school enrollments and bank account openings, and enhancing efficiency in government service interactions.