NATIONAL ID FOR KIDS. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Negros Oriental is ramping up this year its registration for the national identification system for children aged 5-17 years old. Engr. Ariel Fortuito, PSA-Negros Oriental provincial head, said on Wednesday (March 2, 2022) parents must register ahead of their children. (PNA file photo)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Negros Oriental is ramping up its registration of residents aged 5-17 to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
“This age group was only accommodated towards the end of last year as priority in the registration to the national ID program was given to adults,” PSA-Negros Oriental provincial head Engr. Ariel Fortuito told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.
Since a large chunk of the adult population in the province has already been registered, the PSA can now accept the younger residents, he said.
Fortuito urged parents to bring their children to the registration outlets in their municipality or city to sign up for the national ID program.
However, he reminded the parents that they should first be registered ahead of their children.
Meanwhile, as of February 28, the PSA-Negros Oriental reported that a total of 37,631 individuals have already registered under PhilSys since the start of the year.
This is 6.38 percent of this year’s target of 520,300, Fortuito said.
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 will 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 will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)
