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PSA exec calls on gov't, private entities to honor PhilIDs

By Judy Quiros

May 27, 2021, 8:57 pm

<p>National Statistician and Civil Registrar Genera Undersecretary Dennis S. Map.</p>

National Statistician and Civil Registrar Genera Undersecretary Dennis S. Map.

DAVAO CITY – National Statistician and Civil Registrar Genera Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa called on government agencies, financial institutions, and businesses to honor and accept the Philippine Identification (PhilID) when holders transact with them.

“Achieving our vision of a digital ecosystem with PhilSys cannot be done by the PSA alone. We need the cooperation of all to realize our financial inclusion and social protection goals – from the PhilSys registrants to government agencies, financial institutions, and businesses. I enjoin the government and private sector to actively participate in the PhilSys implementation by honoring and accepting the PhilID as sufficient, valid proof of identity in line with the law, without the need to present any other ID,” Mapa said in a recent PSA online update.

Mapa noted that many Filipinos, especially the poor, face the difficulty of accessing basic economic and social services for lacking a “valid ID”.

“With the cooperation of various entities, the PhilSys, through the PhilID, will finally make transactions easier for them”, he said.

The PhilSys Act primarily aims to give Filipinos easier and faster access to financial, social protection, health, education, and other government services by providing them with valid proof of identity.

At least 40,000 PhilIDs cards have been delivered as of May 1 this year to registrants who have successfully undergone the Step 1 and Step 2 registrations, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

“The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has begun issuing the PhilSys Number (PSN) and delivery of PhilID on 01 May 2021. In partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), about 40,000 Philippine Identification (PhilIDs) cards have been delivered to registrants who have successfully undergone the Step 1 and Step 2 Registrations,” PSA said in a post on its website on May 12.

According to Section 12 of the Republic Act (RA) 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act, PhilID is an official government-issued ID that can be used in transactions requiring proof of identity or proper identification.

The PhilID can be used for opening a bank account, money transfer, and other financial services. The PhilID is also expected to be used in applying for jobs and obtaining government documents.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.

The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts.

It also seeks to boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)

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