Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)
MANILA – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday reminded the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to ensure the prompt and successful implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) to prevent fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations.
"The national ID system is long overdue. The ongoing pandemic exposed many gaps in the delivery of various services. One example is the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), which initially encountered distribution challenges. The discrepancy in some data would have been minimized if we had the national ID system fully functional,” Go said.
He added that PhilSys would further improve efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in future deliveries of essential government services.
Go’s call came as the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) is set to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
A new round of social protection program is included in Bayanihan, which seeks to stimulate economic growth and provide additional aid to sectors heavily affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Earlier, Duterte expressed disappointment over the two-year delay in the full implementation of Republic Act 11055, which he said could have facilitated the swift distribution of financial aid under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
In April, the President directed the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to hasten the implementation of PhilSys.
The PSA, an attached agency of NEDA and the implementing agency of the law, expects to begin mass registration in October, with the aim of registering an estimated five million low-income Filipinos by the end of the year.
Go said the full implementation of the national ID system would also be an integral component if the country is to fully realize the benefits of e-governance – faster, more efficient, more cost-effective public service delivery that is more responsive to the needs of our people.
The need for government to transition to e-governance was among the issues emphasized by Duterte in his 5th and penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25.
Last month, Go filed Senate Bill (SB) 1738, otherwise known as the E-Governance Act of 2020, to further address inefficiencies plaguing the bureaucracy and reduce face-to-face transactions, among others.
"The growing sophistication of emerging technologies and new trends in processing data can provide solutions to improve public service delivery, enhance good governance and reduce corruption and red tape," he said.
As the country prepares for the “new normal”, Go said the transition to e-governance becomes crucial, particularly digitalizing government processes.
“E-governance will reduce red tape, eliminate corruption, enhance transparency, provide safe and convenient delivery of services to the people and encourage citizen feedback and participation in governance,” Go said.
SB 1738 mandates the creation of the Integrated Government Network that would serve as the government's primary and focal information management tool and communications network.
If passed into law, the measure would allow the public to better access and easily request government information, documents, and forms via the Internet anywhere and anytime through their ICT (information and communications technology) devices or gadgets.
Most importantly, through e-governance, citizens could monitor the delivery of public services from start to end while any delay in procedures would be traceable to the exact office and individuals responsible.
“Because of Covid-19, (the) government needs to evolve and enhance transactions that normally require face-to-face interaction. It is important for the government to initiate the transition. We should adopt more efficient, responsive, and modern ways of transacting with our citizens. This will effectively make the government more in tune with the changing times,” Go said. (PNA)
