Eastern Visayas: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has recorded 193,350 subscribers of e-Government Philippines (eGov PH) in Eastern Visayas, allowing more people in the region to simplify their transactions with the government.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DICT regional office reported that the figure includes 9,959 new users who recently joined the growing number of Filipinos with access to digital services. The government launched the project in October last year. Dante Rosales, chief of the DICT 8 (Eastern Visayas) technical operations division, said 25 new digital platforms are making government services more efficient and accessible.

Among these platforms, eVerify provides secure identity verification for Filipinos, making it easier and safer to check and validate ID holders without compromising data privacy. Another platform, eTravel, offers tourists an experience of paperless processing due to data portability and sharability.

“Every time we see shorter queues, faster transactions, or simplified processes because of digitalization, those are the indicators of how DICT is making a difference in the lives of people,” Rosales said in an interview on Thursday. “They can easily experience and access government services in just one single app right at their fingertips,” he added.

To maximize the benefit of the platform, the DICT enhances the app with citizen-centric services originating in local governments and other multi-faceted functions such as eLCR, eCedula, ePayment, eReceipt, eTourism, eReport, eHealth, eVisa, and more. “Ongoing developments are on the way. Some modules are now being tested and ready to be integrated in the eGOV app,” Rosales added.

The public is encouraged to install the eGov App on their smartphone or tablet through the App Store or Google Play Store. Registration can be done by providing a mobile number and authenticating with a one-time personal identification number. The last step is the verification of identity by entering basic information and completing the facial recognition technology.