MSSD Ministry of Social Services and Development Programs and Services

The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) offers a range of programs and services aimed at uplifting marginalized and vulnerable sectors. Key initiatives include the Family and Community Welfare Program, which provides assistance to socially disadvantaged families, and the Child and Youth Welfare Program, designed to care for and rehabilitate children and youth in difficult situations. Additionally, the Women’s Welfare Program focuses on promoting the welfare of disadvantaged women, while the Older Persons and Persons with Disability Program offers support through assistive devices and financial aid. 

In response to emergencies and disasters, MSSD implements the Disaster Response and Management Division, which delivers immediate aid to communities affected by conflicts and natural calamities. This includes the B-Cares Program, providing medical, burial, educational, transportation, and food assistance to indigent and vulnerable sectors. Moreover, MSSD administers nationally funded programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program, Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens, and the Supplementary Feeding Program, all aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Bangsamoro people. 

List of Programs and Services offered by the MSSD

The programs and services offered by the MSSD to their target beneficiaries in the BARMM region can be categorized into two: regular and nationally-funded programs. 

• The Regular Programs of the MSSD are the initiatives funded and implemented by the Bangsamoro government to address the specific social welfare needs of the region. These programs focus on family, youth, women, elderly, persons with disabilities, and disaster response, tailored to the unique challenges of the Bangsamoro communities.
• The Nationally Funded Programs refer to the social welfare initiatives financed by the national government and implemented in BARMM through MSSD. These programs, such as 4Ps and the Sustainable Livelihood Program, are part of broader national efforts to reduce poverty, provide financial aid, and support marginalized sectors across the Philippines.

The actual programs and services offered by the ministry include: 

Regular Programs

1. Child And Youth Welfare Program (CYWP)

CYWP addresses the challenges faced by children and youth due to poverty, displacement, and vulnerability to abuse. It aims to ensure their survival, development, protection, and participation in society. The program provides various forms of support, including education, protection, and placement services for children and young people in the Bangsamoro Region.

Purpose: To promote the holistic development of children and youth by providing essential services such as education, health, protection, and rehabilitation programs.

Programs Offered:

• Child Development Service:
  • Center-Based (Child Development Center): Provides supplementary parental care for 3-4-year-old children whose parents are unable to provide full-time care.
  • Home-Based (Supervised Neighborhood Play): Offers early childhood education through play-based activities for 2-4-year-old children not enrolled in Child Development Centers.
• Protective Services: Immediate intervention for children who are abandoned, neglected, or abused, including counseling and rehabilitation.
• Child Placement Services: Adoption, foster care, and legal guardianship for orphaned or abandoned children.
  • Adoption: Permanent family placement through legal adoption.
  • Foster Care: Temporary care provided by licensed foster families for children whose parents are unable to care for them.
• Support for Vulnerable Children: Covers children in conflict with the law, victims of abuse, trafficking, armed conflict, and those in need of special protection.

2. Youth Welfare Program

This program provides services and activities aimed at protecting and rehabilitating youth in difficult situations. It supports out-of-school and disadvantaged youth, including those affected by armed conflict, trafficking, and prostitution. The program promotes self-reliance, economic productivity, and community participation among young people.

Purpose: To develop the potential of disadvantaged youth, enabling them to become productive and responsible members of society through economic, social, and leadership development programs.

Programs Offered:

• Unlad Kabataan Program: Aims to develop the physical, emotional, and economic well-being of disadvantaged youth.
  • Livelihood Seed Capital: PHP 15,000 per household under the Bangsamoro Sagip Kabuhayan (BSK) or Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
  • Monthly Rice Subsidy: 25 kg sack of rice per month.
  • Educational Assistance: PHP 10,000 for college-level students under the ABK program.
  • Medical Assistance: Coverage for hospitalization and healthcare expenses under Bangsamoro CARES.
• Economic Productivity:
  • Self-Employment Assistance: Interest-free capital assistance for youth groups to start businesses.
  • Pre-Employment Services: Training in business management and employment skills.
• Personality Enhancement and Positive Lifestyle Promotion:
  • Population Awareness and Family Life Orientation: Education on family planning and responsible decision-making.
  • Positive Lifestyle Promotion: Programs to prevent substance abuse and risky behaviors.
  • Socio-Cultural and Spiritual Development: Activities promoting cultural awareness, community participation, and healthy living.
• Leadership Training and Social Responsibility:
  • Training youth leaders in project management, peer counseling, and disaster preparedness.
  • Social Responsibility Enrichment: Encouraging youth involvement in community initiatives.
• Volunteer Community Service:
  • Immersion Outreach Program (IOP): Assigning youth volunteers to assist in community service activities.
  • Weekend Youth Brigade (WYB): Organizing youth groups for environmental and community projects.
• Government Internship Program (GIP): Providing opportunities for in-school youth to gain work experience in government agencies during summer.
• Youth/Peer Support Services:
  • Advocating for child rights, clean elections, environmental conservation, and community education.
  • Follow-Up and Aftercare Services: Support for rehabilitated youth, including school and job placement assistance.
  • Referral Services: Coordinating with other agencies to provide additional services based on individual needs.
• Kupkop Program: Kupkop is a financial assistance program designed to support orphans from low-income and disadvantaged households. It ensures that orphaned children receive adequate nutrition, education, healthcare, and secure alternative care through proper nutrition, education, healthcare, and a secure and nurturing living arrangement. This initiative is the first of its kind in the country, providing essential financial aid for the holistic development of orphaned children.
  • Priority Considerations:
    • Whether one or both parents are deceased.
    • Age of the orphan.
    • Socio-economic status of the orphan and guardian or institution providing care.
    • Special protection needs (e.g., disability, survivor of gender-based violence, disaster-affected).
    • Cause of death of parent(s).
  • Exclusions:
    • Beneficiaries of 4Ps, ABK, and Kalinga (only two orphans per family are eligible).
  • Additional Support:
    • Subsidies for accredited orphanages that meet MSSD licensing requirements.
    • Support for individual placements of orphans.
    • Technical assistance for orphanages to improve care services.

3. Family And Community Welfare Program (FCWP)

FCWP aims to reduce the vulnerability of individuals and families in the Bangsamoro Region by implementing social protection programs. It provides direct support to disadvantaged households through skills training, livelihood opportunities, and advocacy activities. The program targets socially disadvantaged families, particularly parents, solo parents, unemployed family heads, and those experiencing relationship issues.

Purpose: To improve the well-being of poor and vulnerable families and communities by offering social protection, livelihood support, and family-centered services.

Programs Offered:

• Parent Effectiveness Services: Provides training on early childhood care, health, and responsible parenthood through Neighbourhood Parent Effectiveness Assemblies or Day-Care Service Parent Effectiveness Groups.
• Planned Responsible Parenthood Service: Offers counseling and referrals for married couples to promote responsible family planning and home management.
• Family Enterprise Assistance: Grants interest-free capital assistance of PHP 5,000 per family for livelihood projects and provides skills training.
• Social Service for Solo Parents (SSSP): Supports solo parents (widowed, abandoned, separated, or unwed) through peer counseling, group discussions, and individual counseling when necessary.
• Marriage Counselling Service: Provides pre-marriage counseling for couples aged 18-25, marriage enrichment sessions, and trial separation counseling.
• Family Casework Service: Offers short-term counseling for families facing crisis situations or relationship problems to restore family harmony.
• Practical Skills Development and Job Placement: Provides vocational training, job counseling, and referrals for unemployed family heads or members.
• Integrated Family Life Resource Center: A volunteer-led facility promoting family life, values, and access to community-based support services.
• Responsible Parenthood Service: Provides counseling on child spacing, family planning, and addressing psychosocial barriers to responsible parenting.
• Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Parental Abilities: Conducts training and enrichment activities to enhance fathers’ parenting roles, responsibilities, and skills for effective fatherhood.

4. Women’s Welfare Program (WWP)

The Women’s Welfare Program (WWP) aims to protect and empower socially disadvantaged women aged 18-59, including victims of abuse, illegal recruitment, armed conflict, and gender-based violence by preventing exploitation and promoting self-sufficiency. It provides access to education, livelihood training, and personal development services. The program also addresses gender-based violence and offers psychosocial support and emergency assistance.

Purpose: To promote the welfare of disadvantaged women, prevent exploitation, and provide opportunities for personal growth and economic independence.

Programs Offered:

• Services and Support:
  • Counseling and psychosocial support for survivors of gender-based violence.
  • Referrals to legal, medical, and social services.
  • Skills training and livelihood programs in partnership with various agencies.
  • Financial assistance for women in crisis situations.
  • Advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights through Family Development Sessions (FDS).
• Harmonization and Integration:
  • Works closely with other programs such as 4Ps, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and Emergency Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Coordination with local government units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP), and NGOs for gender and development training.
  • Active participation in disaster relief operations and psychosocial activities.
• Project Implementation:
  • Non-monetary services such as gender awareness campaigns, community-based interventions, and vocational training.
  • Financial aid provided in exceptional cases for survivors of gender-based violence and other emergencies.
  • Collaboration with partner organizations, including UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office.

5. Older Persons and Persons with Disability Program (OPPWDP)

The OPPWDP provides essential healthcare, financial assistance, and advocacy support for older persons and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the region. It aims to improve their quality of life by ensuring access to healthcare, assistive devices, and social protection. The program also strengthens regional structures to safeguard the rights and well-being of these vulnerable groups.

Purpose: To promote the welfare and independence of older persons and PWDs by providing financial aid, healthcare access, and policy support.

Programs Offered:

• Hadiya Program for the Elderly: Offers healthcare support to senior citizens to improve their quality of life.
• Regional Senior Citizens Committee (RSCC) and Office of the Senior Citizens Association (OSCA): Develop policies, propose legislation, and implement programs for senior citizens.
• Referral Services for Senior Citizens: Facilitates access to professional health consultations and medical interventions.
• Kalinga sa May Kapansanan Program: Provides social pensions and monthly financial subsidies to indigent PWDs for daily and medical needs.
• Assistive Device Distribution: Supplies PWDs with mobility aids and other necessary equipment to enhance independence.
• Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) and Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO): Formulate policies and implement programs to protect and empower PWDs.
• Referral Services for PWDs: Assists in accessing professional healthcare and other necessary interventions beyond MSSD’s capacity.

6. Disaster Response Management Division—Bangsamoro Critical Assistance to Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations (B-CARES)

B-CARES provides emergency support to indigent individuals and families facing urgent and critical situations. The program covers transportation, medical, burial, and cash assistance for those in dire need. Additionally, it includes referrals to other services to ensure a holistic welfare approach.

Purpose: To provide immediate financial and logistical assistance to individuals and families experiencing emergencies, such as medical crises, disasters, or critical socio-economic conditions.

Programs Offered:

• Transportation Assistance: Covers travel expenses for returning home, seeking medical care, attending court hearings, rescuing abused relatives, or responding to emergencies.
• Medical Assistance: Covers hospitalization, medicine costs, and procedures (e.g., dialysis, chemotherapy, CT scans). Doctor’s fees in public hospitals can be covered up to 30% of the total assistance. Birthing is excluded unless complications arise.
• Food Assistance: Provides up to PHP 250 per day for one hospital watcher during hospitalization.
• RT-PCR Testing Coverage: Available for non-PhilHealth members admitted to hospitals, chemotherapy and dialysis patients, and those involved in patient transfers or funeral arrangements.
• Burial Assistance: Covers funeral and related costs, prioritizing victims of disasters and violence. Must be availed within 30 days of death.
• Cash Assistance: Provided to families facing extreme hardships due to disasters, home destruction, or other crises, including education, health, and social service needs.
• Referral Services: Connects individuals to specialized programs, legal aid, psychosocial support, temporary shelters, and vocational training through MSSD or partner agencies.

7. MSSD Referral Service

The MSSD Referral Service assists individuals in accessing specialized services beyond the scope of B-CARES. It connects beneficiaries to medical, legal, psychosocial, and livelihood support services offered by various agencies and organizations and is available at regional, provincial, and municipal levels, including special geographic areas and NGO-operated care facilities. This ensures a comprehensive approach to social welfare.

Purpose: To provide indigent individuals and families with access to specialized support services, including healthcare, legal aid, mental health support, and educational opportunities.

Programs Offered:

• Medical Services: Includes consultations, laboratory tests (STD, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy), psychiatric and psychological evaluations, and DNA testing.
• Legal and Documentation Assistance: Offers legal consultation, paralegal services, medico-legal examinations, birth registration, and passport processing.
• Shelter and Protection: Provides temporary shelter where MSSD facilities are unavailable.
• Reproductive and Maternal Health: Supports family planning education, maternal, and child care services.
• Education and Livelihood Support: Connects beneficiaries to scholarships, vocational training, and livelihood assistance beyond MSSD’s direct offerings.

8. Humanitarian Assistance and Transfer for Individuals in Distress (HATID) Program

The HATID program provides urgent relief and protection to vulnerable individuals and families in the Bangsamoro Region. It ensures the timely delivery of emergency aid, including food, shelter, and essential non-food items. The program also supports disaster risk reduction and recovery efforts to enhance community resilience.

Purpose: To deliver life-saving assistance, facilitate safe movement, and provide immediate relief to individuals and families affected by crises, including natural disasters, human-induced emergencies, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Programs Offered:

• Emergency Relief Assistance: Distribution of food packs, hygiene kits, dignity kits, protection kits, water kits, and sleeping kits.
• Shelter Assistance: Establishment of temporary and emergency shelters and provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
• Cash-for-Work Projects: Community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives for affected individuals.
• Family Disaster Risk Reduction and Protection Kits: Assistance to vulnerable households to improve disaster preparedness.
• Support for Displaced and Stranded Individuals: Assistance for laid-off workers, informal sector workers, locally stranded individuals, and returning Filipinos from overseas.
• Repatriation Assistance: Safe return of Bangsamoro individuals, particularly from Sabah, to their home provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan.
• Emergency Transfers and Reunification: Facilitates the movement of individuals away from imminent threats and reunites them with their families.

Nationally Funded Programs

In addition to the regular MSSD programs, the MSSD also oversees the implementation of some of DSWD’s nationally funded programs such as:

• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
• Sustainable Livelihood Program
• Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens
• Supplementary Feeding Program
• Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger And Poverty (EPAHP)
• Regional Juvenile Justice Welfare Committee
• Recovery And Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP)
• Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT)

The MSSD in BARMM plays a crucial role in delivering social welfare programs that support marginalized and vulnerable sectors, ensuring access to essential services such as child protection, family welfare, women’s empowerment, and disaster response. Through a combination of regionally funded initiatives and nationally supported programs, MSSD remains committed to uplifting the well-being of Bangsamoro communities and fostering sustainable development.

Video: Importance of BARMM MSSD

As the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) main counterpart in the BARMM region, the MSSD promises to extend emergency relief assistance to Bangsamoro families affected by calamities, even outside the region. According to Racmah Abdula, Head of the Disaster Response and Management Division, the Ministry works closely with local governments to ensure that no Bangsamoro family is left behind, regardless of their location or tribe. Watch this video to learn more: