The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), continues to advance efforts to improve digital access among Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries through the ongoing nationwide rollout of the Bayanihan SIM Project under the DICT’s JuanSIM ng Bayan Program.
Anchored on the government’s Free Public Internet Access Program, the initiative aims to provide free internet connectivity to underserved and unserved communities, enabling low-income households, including 4Ps families, to access essential digital services, online learning platforms, and government programs.
Under the program, beneficiaries receive SIM cards pre-loaded with 25GB of monthly data for up to 12 months, supporting continuous access to information, communication, and digital opportunities.
“As part of the nationwide implementation, the DSWD facilitates the identification and validation of eligible 4Ps family-beneficiaries,” 4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma B. Gabuya said.
Furthermore, Director Gabuya underscored that the Bayanihan SIM Project is very timely, as it supports 4Ps monitored children by ensuring access to reliable internet connectivity for their educational needs. This allows them to actively participate in digital and blended learning, especially as learning modalities continue to shift toward hybrid classes.
As of press time, the DSWD Field Offices have already distributed more than 4,400 SIM cards to beneficiaries from Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Negros Island Region, and Northern Mindanao, with rollout activities in other regions set to proceed in the coming weeks.
The project is implemented through a whole-of-government approach involving DSWD, DICT, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs).
“DICT leads the overall implementation, including SIM procurement, logistics, and monitoring. While DepEd and DSWD are responsible for beneficiary identification and validation, DILG mobilizes LGUs to ensure local coordination, site readiness, and community-level implementation,” Director Gabuya pointed out.
Distribution activities are conducted at designated sites such as community venues, specifically during Family Development Sessions (FDS), with on-site assistance provided for SIM registration, activation, and user orientation.
“This initiative complements the 4Ps digital financial literacy campaign, e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan, which aims to educate, inform, and encourage beneficiaries to responsibly utilize digital applications for managing their finances,” the 4Ps National Program Manager emphasized.
Director Gabuya added that through improved internet access, 4Ps families are better positioned to adopt digital tools such as mobile banking, e-wallets, and online government platforms, enhancing their capacity for financial management and participation in the digital economy.
The Bayanihan SIM Project supports the government’s broader digital transformation agenda and reinforces the implementation of Republic Act No. 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, aimed at reinforcing the digital divide across the country.
Meanwhile, the distribution activities will continue in coordination with partner agencies and LGUs to ensure that more 4Ps families across the country gain access to reliable and inclusive digital connectivity. – Andrea Christine N. Agay