4Ps beneficiaries rush to PSA before national ID deadline

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Weeks of relatively calm registration activity ended abruptly this week as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries flocked to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)–Western Visayas registration centers ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline for Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) compliance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earlier announced that all 4Ps beneficiaries must register for the PhilSys national ID by Jan. 31, 2026, to maintain eligibility for program benefits.

The registration drive is part of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s Unified ID System, which aims to streamline social service delivery and prevent interruptions in government assistance.

PSA Registration Officer Jared Xerxes Barile said registration surged between Jan. 26 and 27, with an average of 1,485 individuals registering daily—nearly double the weekly average of 765 recorded from Jan. 19 to 24.

“Last week, registrations were still steady, but on Tuesday, we noticed a surge in registrants, mostly 4Ps members,” Barile told Daily Guardian on Jan. 28.

He said queues began forming early at PSA-6 registration centers as beneficiaries, including those from remote towns, rushed to secure their national IDs before the deadline.

Barile warned against last-minute registrations, citing longer wait times and potential delays in ID issuance.

“As much as possible, do not wait for the last minute, even though our operations are continuing. There are possibilities that you can register, but you cannot immediately get your ID, which would require you to come back next time,” he said.

He explained that registration capacity varies depending on site logistics, staffing, and the availability of equipment such as biometric scanners at both field registration centers and mobile units.

Under normal conditions, a PhilSys registration kit in Iloilo processes an average of 25 IDs per day, but during peak periods like the current 4Ps registration push, it can process up to 75.

Field registration centers are permanent locations set up in malls, government offices, and other public venues, while mobile units serve far-flung barangays in partnership with the DSWD and local government units.

Barile advised beneficiaries to regularly monitor PSA’s official social media platforms for schedule updates, announcements, and mobile registration site locations to avoid congestion.

He also reminded applicants to bring original copies of valid supporting documents, adding that while some may receive their IDs on the same day, others may need to return depending on document completeness.

Beneficiaries were also encouraged to download the eGovPH app to access and track their digital national IDs.

“Some beneficiaries only have a transaction slip, but since DSWD only requires the PhilSys ID number to consider a person registered, we suggest using the eGovPH app to view the digital ID if you are far from registration centers,” Barile said.

He emphasized that digital IDs carry the same validity and functionality as physical cards.

Barile added that PSA-6 is considering Sunday operations if high registration volumes continue in the days leading up to the deadline.

The PSA released the following schedules for field and mobile registration sites across Western Visayas:

Field Registration Centers (Monday to Saturday)

• Aklan: PSA Fixed Registration Center, Refindor Building, Osmeña Avenue, Barangay Estancia
• Antique: Antique Provincial Statistical Office, Eagles Place Building 2, Bantayan Street, Barangay II, San Jose
• Capiz: Catalan Building, Magallanes Street, Roxas City
• Guimaras: Ground Floor, Galanto Building, Mosqueda Village, San Miguel
• Iloilo: PSA Main Office, J. Villanueva Building, Iznart Street, Iloilo City, and SM City Iloilo Government Service Express Center, Lower Ground Floor, Main Mall Entrance 3

Mobile Registration

• Aklan:
  • Jan. 29: Caticlan Covered Court, Malay
  • Jan. 30: Poblacion Tennis Court, Buruanga
  • Jan. 31: 4Ps Office, Madalag
• Capiz:
  • Jan. 29: Basiao and Malocloc Sur, Ivisan; Mambusao 4Ps Office; Pontevedra 4Ps Office; Roxas City FRC (Magallanes Street)
  • Jan. 30: Malocloc Norte and Cabugao, Ivisan; Mambusao 4Ps Office; Bailan, Pontevedra; Roxas City FRC
  • Jan. 31: Barra, Roxas City; Agbanog, Pontevedra; Ondoy, Ivisan; Balat, Mambusao; Roxas City FRC
• Guimaras (National ID on Wheels Program):
  • Jan. 29: Barangay Sebaste, Sibunag
  • Jan. 30: Barangay Bubog, Sibunag
  • Jan. 31: Barangay Suclaran, San Lorenzo

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