Virac, Catanduanes. — On February 19, 2024, PSA Catanduanes conducted its pilot implementation of PhilSys Authentication and ePhilID issuance of 4Ps beneficiaries in Barangay Santa Cruz, Virac Catanduanes. A total of nine (9) grantees along with fourteen(14) beneficiaries availed the authentication service while one(1) grantee availed for the Step 2 registration. EPhilIDs were also issued to beneficiaries who brought their transaction slips.

During identity verification, beneficiaries must provide their PhilSys Card Number and have their fingerprints scanned to match with their stored data on the Philippine Identification System. Household grantees who completed the authentication will be given result slips as proof of their attendance. As per initial coordination meeting of PSA Chief Statistical Specialist, Anavi F. Camacho with Provincial Link Daryl Balbastro, a plaza-type PhilSys authentication, registration and ephilID issuance will soon follow in other municipalities where hundreds of 4Ps grantees and beneficiaries are expected to avail the Family Development Session (FDS) equivalency. The authentication of PhilSys IDs and ePhilIDs shall enhance DSWD’s social protection delivery. It is essential to the establishment of the United Beneficiary Database(UBD) to identify and remove duplicate or ghost beneficiaries. It will also help streamline secure payment with multiple access points for its beneficiaries to receive social assistance. This joint program of PSA and DSWD will run until March 31, 2024.