The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) newly-launched i-Registro, which now allows the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to update their information online, is garnering positive feedback from users.
The i-Registro is a dynamic social registry (DSR) or online registration tool with self-service registration and data authentication of potential beneficiaries. Through the platform, the 4Ps beneficiaries can update their profiles within the comfort of their homes.
“Bringing convenience to our beneficiaries is always the goal of our digital initiatives, including i-Registro. With this, we are pleased with the positive feedback that we are getting from our end-users, so far,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD’s spokesperson, said on Tuesday (January 21).
The DSWD pilot-tested the i-Registro system in July 2024 for pregnant and lactating mothers (PLMs) in the municipalities of Floridablanca in Pampanga, Pateros in Metro Manila, and Cordova in Cebu.
As part of the continuing implementation of the system, the 4Ps beneficiaries from Barangay Carreta, Cebu City were introduced to the platform via on-site visits and orientation jointly led by the personnel of the National Household Targeting Office (NHTO) in the DSWD Central Office and DSWD Field Office 7-Central Visayas last December.
Riza Timkang, who was among the beneficiaries who tried out the platform during the said event, described her experience in a positive note.
“Okay kami sa ganitong proseso, less hassle at maka-update agad kaya okay talaga itong may link,” Riza said.
Another beneficiary, Jovelyn Oliamot lauded the quick process, saying it was a big help to cut cost in her traveling expenses as well as doing away the queuing inconveniences involved with the traditional way of profile updating.
“It was fast, it took me only less than 5 minutes,” Jovelyn said in her native language.
The DSWD, through its NHTO personnel across the agency’s field offices, is continuously holding orientation sessions to provide users with necessary support in navigating the online portal and its features.
“We are strategically conducting these orientations alongside our Family Development Sessions (FDS) nationwide. These are, of course, led to ensure that no one is trailing behind as we offer these digitalized solutions,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
The DSWD spokesperson reiterated that the i-Registro is introduced as an alternative way to update beneficiary profiles.
The pen-and-paper method may still be done in the DSWD offices, and with the help of the 4Ps city and municipal links, according to Asst. Secretary Dumlao.
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11310 or the 4Ps Act, the program provides cash grants to more than four million households whose children are given subsidies to finish elementary and senior high school and supported with health and nutrition grants.
The 4Ps beneficiaries are mandated to update their profiles to ensure the timely receipt of their grants. #
