The Bangsamoro Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) has initiated the distribution of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards with complimentary mobile data to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in two pilot municipalities in Lanao del Sur.
Partnership with DICT
This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) under the JuanSIM ng Bayan Program, also known as the Bayanhian SIM project. The program aims to enhance access to online learning, government services, and information platforms for 4Ps households.
Distribution Details
Jaslin Masbud, MSSD-Lanao del Sur provincial social welfare officer, confirmed that each beneficiary receives a SIM card with a monthly data allocation of 25 gigabytes for one year. The rollout began in selected pilot areas: 174 beneficiaries in Butig received their SIM cards on April 23, followed by 59 beneficiaries in Calanogas on April 27.
Abdullah Lucman, Lanao del Sur 4Ps Provincial Link, stated that the two municipalities were chosen for the pilot phase, with a total of 233 beneficiaries currently enrolled.
Empowering Beneficiaries
Masbud emphasized that the program goes beyond providing internet access. “It empowers 4Ps beneficiaries with access, opportunity, and inclusion in the digital age,” she said in a statement. During the launch in Butig town, Engineer Amal Asum, DICT-Lanao del Sur director, noted that the initiative supports the government’s broader digitalization efforts by ensuring that 4Ps households can benefit from expanding online services.
Future Expansion
The JuanSIM ng Bayan Program is expected to expand to other areas as implementation progresses, aiming to bridge the digital divide for more beneficiaries across the region.
