Ellison Parojinog, PhilSys focal person for PSA South Cotabato (Photo courtesy of Koronadal CIO)
KORONADAL CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in South Cotabato is asking the public to report government and private offices refusing to recognize the Philippine Identification Card (PhilID) or the national ID as proof of one’s true identity.
Ellison Parojinog, the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) focal person for PSA South Cotabato, reiterated that the national ID must be honored in all public and private transactions.
“You can report to us the private institutions or any government agency that do not recognize the PhilSys ID so that we can help them how to integrate it in their system,” Parojinog said in an interview over the city’s radio program on Wednesday.
He stressed that the Office of the President is encouraging government agencies to integrate the PhilID into their system.
Parojinog noted that some IDs for South Cotabato residents have already been released.
“RA 11055 (PhilSys Identification Act) will penalize any person or entity who without just and insufficient cause refuses to accept, acknowledge and/or recognize the Philippine ID card as the only official identification of the holder or the possessor with a fine of P500,000,” Parojinog said.
If the violation is committed by a government official or employee, the penalty includes perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any public office or employment in government including government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.
The PhilSys law aims to establish a single national identification system for citizens and resident aliens of the country to promote seamless delivery of services as well as to enhance administrative governance, reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, avert fraudulent transactions, strengthen financial inclusion and promote ease of doing business. (PNA)
