MANILA, Philippines – The first batch of registration for the national identification cards will be in September, to be granted for about six million Filipinos.
This assurance was given by former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the House Oversight Committee on Population and Family Relations informed her about the latest development of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
PSA officials guaranteed the House panel that they are ready to conduct the first batch of registration and issue the first IDs this September 2019.
In an interview, Arroyo informed the reporters, “I am happy that it’s all systems go for the National ID system based on the timeline they have presented to us this morning.”
Arroyo held the hearing at the Bethel Guest House in Dumaguete City since its principal author Rep. Arnie Teves, is from Negros Oriental.
Also in attendance were Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay, Teves, Reps. Lourdes Aggabao, Jocelyn Limchaikong and Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Remollo.
PSA Deputy National Statistician Lourdines Dela Cruz, said that the first to be registered are indigents, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and government workers in several key areas all over the country. The information to be gathered for the PhilSys will include biometrics (thumbprint, iris and face scanning), full name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address, and if one is a Filipino or a resident alien.
Information about marital status, mobile number and email address are optional.
After the registration, which is free of charge, the registrant will be given his/her permanent PhilSys ID Number. The card will be issued few days after the information has authenticated.
The card will serve as the single ID system for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens, which aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and private sector.
President Duterte signed Republic Act 11055, the Philippine Identification System of National ID Law, last August 2018.
Dela Cruz pointed out they are targeting to issue 100 million cards to Filipinos and resident aliens by 2022.
Filipinos can download a digital version of their National ID on their mobile phone
