BARMM launches first unified beneficiary system to deliver stronger social protection for children and families

COTABATO CITY, 28 April 2026 | 05 Shawwal 1447 AH - The Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), has launched the enhanced Beneficiary Data Management System (BDMS), with support from the Australian Government and UNICEF.  The system helps make social services fairer and easier to access for families across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This comes at a critical time as many families are feeling the pressure from rising living costs and higher energy prices.

Launched under the Project Child-sensitive Adaptive, Resilient, and Equitable Social Protection Systems (CARES) initiative, the BDMS is a digital system that brings together information on people receiving social assistance.  It makes registration easier, helps identify vulnerable households more accurately, and improves coordination between provinces during the Bangsamoro Government’s transition period. To date, 10 social protection programs are using the system, supporting more than 106,000 households, including marginalized women and children, persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

The system follows the Bangsamoro Social Protection Plan 2024–2028 and works with a digital payment platform to deliver assistance more quickly and transparently. Overall, it is designed to benefit around two million people, especially children, women, and families at risk.

Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua said the BDMS is a key reform under the Bangsamoro Government’s 12-Point Priority Agenda.

“BDMS is not merely a digital platform. It is our commitment to the Bangsamoro people. Specifically, it advances the region’s goals for digital infrastructure and e-governance while directly addressing the mandate for a more timely and responsive service delivery. It is our way of ensuring that ‘inclusion’ is not just a word on a page, but a reality for every household in BARMM. Through this system, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Bangsamoro and a ‘mas matatag na pamayanan’, bringing us closer to the realization of a Mas Matatag na Bangsamoro.”

MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie said the system will improve how social services are delivered. “By digitizing our social services, we are not just upgrading software. We are promoting the dignity of the Bangsamoro people by ensuring every centavo reaches its rightful home,” she said.

Peter Adams, Counsellor for Development at the Australian Embassy, said social protection plays a vital role in reducing poverty and helping communities recover from shocks.

“Through our partnership with BARMM and UNICEF, Australia is helping strengthen systems, so support reaches people quickly – especially during crises caused by conflict, economic hardship or natural disasters. We are proud to support this initiative and the broader social protection efforts in the Bangsamoro, “he said.

The improved system is part of the multi-year partnership between the Bangsamoro Government, the Australian Government and UNICEF to make social protection more responsive to emergencies and everyday risks.

UNICEF Philippines Representative Kyungsun Kim echoed these sentiments, emphasizing its impact on children and families.

“Every child has the right to access essential services and to be protected from poverty. By ensuring that the most vulnerable children grow up healthy, educated and resilient, we can help them break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for themselves and their communities,” she said.

The enhanced BDMS will be rolled out across government field offices, with training and guidance to ensure data privacy and proper use. By bringing information into one secure system, the BDMS supports child-focused services, enables safe digital payments, and strengthens a transparent and reliable social protection system for families in need.