“Finally, more than two decades after it was first proposed, the Philippines will have its very own national ID system.”
This is according to Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones, Chairperson of the House Committee on Population and Family Relations and principal sponsor of the Philippine Identification System Act at the House of Representatives, after the bicameral conference committee approved the final version of the bill for ratification by both the House and the Senate.
“This is a historical milestone. We now have an opportunity to create a significant impact and everlasting effect in the lives of our people with something that can fit in our pocket, kasya sa bulsa, in the form of an ID,” said Aragones.
“This ‘one for all, all for one’ ID seeks to synchronize and harmonize all existing government-initiated identification cards, into a unified, comprehensive and efficient system. Called the PhilSys ID, it will be issued to all citizens and resident aliens to provide them with a valid proof of identity and a means to simplify public and private transactions,” added Aragones.
“We will no longer need to present multiple IDs to transact with government and private establishments that require individuals to present two or more government-issued IDs. This landmark legislation will: (1) promote seamless delivery of service; (2) improve the efficiency, transparency, and targeted delivery of public and social services; (3) enhance administrative governance; (4) reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape; (5) avert fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations; (6) strengthen financial inclusion; and (7) promote ease of doing business,” explained Aragones.
According to the bicam-approved bill, the PhilID card face will contain the PSN (PhilSys Number), full name, sex, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, address, and front-facing photograph. Furthermore, the bill states that the PhilSys Registry will store data containing the following: full name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, address, Filipino or resident alien, blood type, marital status, mobile number, email address and biometric data (front-facing photograph, full set of fingerprints and iris scan). Every citizen or resident alien shall register personally in the accredited registration centers nationwide.
These registration centers are the regional and provincial offices of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Local Civil Registration Offices (LCROs), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), Commission on Elections (Comelec), and other government–owned and controlled corporations as may be assigned by the PSA.
The bill also enumerates the transactions where the PhilID can be used. These are: (1) application for eligibility and access to social welfare and benefits granted by the government; (2) application for services and benefits offered by GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, HDMF and other government agencies; (3) applications for passports and driver’s license; (4) tax-related transactions; (5) registration and voting identification purposes; (6) admission to any government hospital, health center or similar institution; (7) all other government transactions; (8) application for admission in schools, colleges, learning institutions and universities, whether public or private; (9) application and transaction for employment purposes; (10) opening of bank accounts and other transactions with banks and other financial institutions; (11) verification for criminal records and clearances; and (12) such other transactions, uses or purposes, as may be defined in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
“The Philippine Identification System Act is a life-changing measure. It will promote the inclusion of disadvantaged groups previously unable to access the support and assistance of the government. It will bring the government closer to the people that it has pledged to serve,” concluded Aragones.