Beginning January 1, 2023, all Filipinos who have registered in the national identification (ID) system will own a bank account that will have access to government’s financial services.
This was the proposal laid down by Senator Win Gatchalian in filing Senate Bill No. 2251 or the “One Filipino, One Bank Account Act” as the measure is seeking to mandate the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to open and maintain a bank account, free from any opening and maintenance fees or charges, for every Filipino citizen beginning January 1, 2023.
“Hindi na nila kailangang pumila pa para makakuha ng ayuda mula sa gobyerno.”
“Sa panukalang ‘One Filipino, One Bank Account Act’, lahat ng walang bank account ay siguradong magkakaroon na, basta may national ID. Hindi na nila kailangang pumila pa para makakuha ng ayuda mula sa gobyerno dahil ilalagak na lamang sa naturang bank account ang ayuda at iba pang tulong pinansyal ng ating pamahalaan,” Gatchalian said.
“The LandBank and DBP shall automatically open and maintain a bank account for Filipino citizens who have successfully registered with PhilSys.”
Under the veteran legislator’s bill, the LandBank and DBP shall automatically open and maintain a bank account for Filipino citizens who have successfully registered with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) upon presentation of the national ID or PhilID.
Those who have yet to register with PhilSys by Jan. 1, 2023, may proceed to the nearest LandBank or DBP branch to secure a bank account by presenting other proper and acceptable government-issued IDs.
The bank account shall be automatically linked with the PhilSys upon successful registration of the Filipino citizen.
“For minors or those who are incapacitated to give consent under Article 1327 of the New Civil Code, their bank accounts shall be opened and linked with the accounts of their parents, legal guardians or persons exercising substitute parental authority, as the case may be,” the seasoned lawmaker explained.
“Katulad ng sweldo ng mga empleyado na inilalagay sa ATM, ganito na rin ang mangyayari sa hinaharap sa pamimigay ng tulong pinansyal ng gobyerno kasama na ang mga allowance ng mga iskolars at iba pa. Mabilis, seamless at makakasiguro pa ang ating gobyerno na sa mga tamang kamay mapupunta ang mga tulong pinansyal,” the senator added.
Despite the boom of digital payment solutions during the pandemic, he said 51.2 million Filipinos or 47% of the Filipino population remain unbanked.
