The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) took a major step toward modernizing social services in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the launch of the Beneficiary Data Management System (BDMS) on Tuesday at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

In a statement on Wednesday, MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie emphasized that the BDMS is more than just a technological upgrade.

“This is not just a system—it is a response to the long-standing call of our communities for more organized, fair and efficient services. It is an important step toward establishing a unified record for every Bangsamoro,” Jajurie said.

Under the theme “One Bangsamoro Family. One Verified Record. Coordinated Bangsamoro Support,” the BDMS serves as a centralized digital platform for monitoring and managing beneficiary records for its programs across the region.

It aims to make assistance delivery throughout the region more transparent, efficient, and data-driven.

Planning and Development Division Chief Jamal Ali noted that the key features of the BDMS include faster interoffice coordination, the use of accurate data to develop new policies, and clearer tracking of government fund utilization.

Jajurie also thanked the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Australian government for their support in making the BDMS possible.

To ensure effective service delivery, a dozen municipal social welfare officers from Maguindanao del Norte received new laptops from MSSD and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to help speed up processing and management of beneficiary information under the new system. (PNA)