Porac, Pampanga – Data-gathering activities for the World Bank’s Study on National ID Integration in Social Protection Programs in the Philippines, following a courtesy visit with local stakeholders.

Porac was among the localities selected nationwide to participate in the study. Prior to the field activities, representatives from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of DSWD Field Office 3 and Development Partners Consulting, Inc. (DPCI), the consulting firm commissioned to undertake the study, paid a courtesy visit to the Local Government Unit (LGU) and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Porac.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the objectives of the study, local experiences in the implementation of identification systems, and challenges encountered by residents in securing and utilizing identification documents and services. Survey activities were subsequently carried out in the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities of Inararo and Villa Maria, where twenty (20) 4Ps beneficiary families and five (5) non-4Ps families participated.

The study seeks to generate evidence on how PhilSys can strengthen social protection delivery, particularly in improving targeting accuracy, administrative efficiency, service accessibility, compliance verification, and inter-agency coordination. The results of the study are expected to provide valuable insights to support future policy and operational decisions on digital ID integration across social protection programs. In addition to gathering information related to the study, participants were also asked about their knowledge and experience regarding SIM card registration and digital financial services that may contribute to more efficient and inclusive delivery of government assistance and services.

The activity reflects the continuing commitment of DSWD Field Office 3 and its partners to support evidence-based initiatives that help improve the delivery of social protection services in the country. ##