NATIONAL ID SYSTEM: FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ACT

The existing multiple identification system in the government is one of the causes of red tape in the
bureaucracy. Filipinos have to present various identification cards issued by different government
agencies in order to prove their identity here and abroad. In fact, the Philippines is one of only nine (9)
countries in the world without a national identification (ID) system. The issuance of identification cards
from different agencies has created unnecessary and costly redundancies, thereby entailing higher
costs.

The Filipino Identification System will consolidate all government-issued ID systems into one to improve
government services and limit red tape in government transactions. It will lower costs, streamline
transactions, and provide ease and convenience. Individuals can use the ID as an official document
that will be honored in transactions concerning a person’s identity, marital status, birth, and other
personal circumstances. It will be accepted in transactions with national government agencies, local
government units, government-owned or controlled corporations, and government financial institutions.
It may also be used to identify voters, schools, and employees, as well as to avail of senior citizens’
benefits. It may also be used in courts, for police clearances, and transactions with banking and
financial institutions.

In 1996, the "National Computerized Identification Reference System" issued by the Ramos
administration was invalidated by the Supreme Court on two main grounds: "one, it is a usurpation of
the power of Congress to legislate, and two, it impermissibly intrudes on our citizenry’s protected zone
of privacy."(Ople vs. Torres G.R.127685 July 23,1998). According to the SC, the President can issue
administrative orders, rules and regulations only in the exercise of administrative power. However, the
national ID system established byA.O.308 redefines the parameters of some basic rights of the citizenry
vis-a-vis the State; it imposes a duty on a citizen to get an ID before he can be given the right to deal
with government agencies delivering basic services. So, it deals with a subject of general concern or
common interest that should be covered by law enacted by Congress. It cannot be covered by a mere
administrative order.

To deter unlawful use of information. the proposed measure provides sanctions ranging from six months
to two years imprisonment, and a fine of P50,000 to P500,000. The System should consider issues on
selection of the source documents, technology obsolescence (i.e. biometrics), high cost of
implementation, administrative efficiency as well as the level of computerization in government
agencies.
 GOV’T READY AS PH ID SYSTEM LAW TAKES
EFFECT

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 GOV’T READY AS PH ID SYSTEM LAW TAKES EFFECT

August 24, 2018
MANILA—Concerned government agencies, together with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as the primary
implementing agency, are ready to enforce the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act, starting off with the crafting
of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

The PhilSys Act or Republic Act No. 11055, which creates a central identification platform for all citizens and resident
foreigners in the Philippines, will take effect on August 25, 2018.

The PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council (PSPCC), the inter-agency body that will formulate policies and guidelines
to ensure effective coordination among the different agencies tasked to implement the PhilSys, convened in an orientation
meeting on August 15 to jump-start its implementation.

Co-chaired by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia and National Statistician and Civil Registrar General
Lisa Grace S. Bersales, head of the PSA, the Council agreed to form a technical working group to finalize the measure’s
IRR.

The PSPCC’s members include the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National
Privacy Commission (NPC), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior Local
Government (DILG), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHILPost).

The IRR is scheduled to be made public next month. This will be followed by the dissemination of information regarding
the bidding and procurement process for the PhilSys’s components, including the production and issuance of the
identification card, the PhilID.

“The government values each Filipino and is working constantly to provide easy access to public goods and
services. Establishing a safe and secure means to prove identity is a step towards that direction. The PhilSys Act is all about
inclusivity; it promotes our aspiration for every Filipino to enjoy a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay,” NEDA
Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie G. Edillon said.

She added marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples and the poor will benefit the most from the PhilID as it will
facilitate better access to government assistance and services.

“The PhilID simplifies public and private transactions by enabling everyone to have a valid proof of identity. This is in sync
with our main development agenda of leaving no one behind towards wider economic inclusion,” Edillon said.
 The PhilID shall streamline and expedite applications for the availment of, among others, social welfare and benefits from
the government; tax-related transactions; opening of bank accounts; and transactions for employment purposes.
Under the law, the PhilID will contain the registrant’s biometric information, along with seven demographic data such as
full name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address, nationality, and three optional information, specifically,
marital status, mobile number, and email address. The PhilSys Act requires that said personal information be kept in a
resilient data system to ensure that the people’s right to privacy, confidentiality and other basic rights, such as those
guaranteed by the Data Privacy Act of 2012, are upheld.

Edillon, likewise, said the government, led by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the National Privacy Commission
(NPC), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), will develop and implement measures
to keep the database of the PhilSys registry secure and private.

GOV’T INTERVENTIONS
FINANCING MORE INCLUSIVE – NEDA
IN PLACE TO MAKE

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 GOV’T INTERVENTIONS IN PLACE TO MAKE FINANCING MORE INCLUSIVE – NEDA

BALI, INDONESIA— Government interventions are in place to address trade finance gaps in the Philippines
as part of global efforts to narrow the global trade finance gap, which is at around USD1.5 trillion every
year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

At the sidelines of the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group (IMF-
WB), Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said such efforts of the government are in the
context of making financing more inclusive.

“We need to boost financial services to help our small and medium enterprises. More importantly, such
services will establish an inclusive financial sector,” Pernia said.

Pernia said Republic Act No. 11057 or the Personal Property Security Act, among other government
initiatives, strengthens the legal framework for the use of personal property as collateral, and establishes
a modern, centralized online collateral registry.
The Personal Property Security Act was signed into law last August 17.

“We expect this to make financing more accessible to Filipino SMEs, including export-oriented firms,” he
said.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is also strengthening retail payments systems by adopting the National
Retail Payments Systems framework, or NRPS. This should facilitate more convenient, affordable, and
secure electronic fund transfers and payments,” Pernia added.

The Secretary also said the government is increasing credit guarantees from PhP10 billion to PhP50 billion
for SME exporters through the Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency (PhilEXIM), an attached agency of
the Department of Finance.PhilEXIM provides guarantees to facilitate foreign loans of export-oriented
industries, public utilities, and those registered with the Board of Investments.

Pernia noted that the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 identifies the need for a resilient and
inclusive financial sector. It lays down strategies such as strengthening the effectiveness of financial
inclusion initiatives, encouraging efficiency and innovation in microfinance and microinsurance, and
developing the legal infrastructure for Islamic finance, among others.

Secretary Pernia is with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and
Central Bank Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo in Bali, Indonesia, for the 2018 IMF-WB Annual Meetings,
which carries the theme, Harnessing Disruption to Shape Inclusive Economies of the Future.

Pernia is representing the country at the Early Adopters Ministerial Roundtable on the Human Capital
Project, the ASEAN Forum on Implementing the Sustainable Goals, and a meeting with WB President Jim
Yong Kim on Human Capital Development.

Nothing to be afraid of? Other

countries use their national IDs
in countless ways
While proponents of a national ID system in the Philippines argue it will improve government services,
examples from other countries show the many uses of a national ID beyond government functions

Loreben Tuquero
Published 3:14 PM, June 15, 2018

Updated 5:30 PM, August 06, 2018

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NATIONAL ID. Countries like Estonia, Pakistan, India, and Peru show the various way in which a national ID can be utilized by both
government and private entities.

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill that will put in place the
Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), also known as the national ID system. (READ: What you need to
know about the proposed national ID system)

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, in March 2018, said the system will aid in the delivery of government
services and reduce fraudulent transactions if implemented. (READ: 'Record history' casts cloud of doubt on
proposed national ID system)

The Philippines is one out of only 9 countries in the world that does not have a national ID system in place yet.

While proponents of the bill argue it will improve government services in the Philippines, examples from other
countries show the many functions of a national ID beyond government services.

What do other countries use their national ID systems for?

China: Facial recognition

China is currently creating the world's most powerful facial recognition system, which aims to match a citizen's
face with his or her ID photo with 90% accuracy.

The system, which contains the photos of each of its 1.3 billion population, was launched in 2015 and is being
handled by Isvision, a Shanghai-based security company.

According to reports, the system aims to track wanted suspects and improve public administration, among other
purposes.

Apart from this, China also plans to digitize the existing national ID card to streamline government processes
and promote paperless transactions.

China's current ID card is used to obtain residence permits and driving licenses, open bank accounts, check into
hotels, purchase railway tickets, and board domestic flights.

Once its national ID will be digitized, it will be available on smartphones and citizens will no longer need the
physical ID card.

The government is developing the digital ID with WeChat, the most popular messaging application in mainland
China.
Malaysia: Centralized information storage, cash, travel

Malaysia’s national identity card or MyKad, was the first government-issued multipurpose smart card and the
first “dual interface” ID to be issued in the world.

Its dual interface allows the card to be read by physical sensors and used in transactions, while its advance chip
and biometric technology aids users in both government and private sector transactions.

In particular, its embedded chip allows it to be used in government service centers and to be accessed by card
acceptance devices. This allows for data processing, file management, and storage of large amounts of
information.

The MyKad is also considered a driving license and a travel document as it is used hand-in-hand with the
Malaysian international passport for exit and entry into the country.

In healthcare, it is used to store medical records and health information such as blood type, allergies, implants,
and prescriptions, among others. This allows for more efficient access of information during emergencies and
routine treatments.

The MyKad also functions as a reloadable cash purse, which can be used in government agencies, petrol
stations, toll booths, and public transport systems. It can also function as an ATM card at designated banks and
allows the user to access up to 3 bank accounts.

Meanwhile, its Public Key Infrastructure feature allows for secure online transactions and transmission of
information over networks.

The card itself is secured by chip security and physical features such as micro lettering and intricate patterns.

Thailand: Health coverage, agricultural functions

Thailand’s national identity card or its Smart ID, is used by 47% of its population.

It is mostly used as proof of identity by various agencies to check if individuals are eligible for government
services.
For instance, the national ID is used to determine the most suitable public health insurance for a citizen based
on age, occupation, and civil status.

Aside from this, Thailand's SmartID is also linked to its farmer database, which contains records of 7.2 million
farm households.

Other Stories

Duterte signs national ID system law

Filipinos will soon be asked to register with the Philippine ID System in order to get their national ID. Lawmakers give assurances
that privacy rights and data will be protected.

Estonia expels Russian diplomats

The incident follows a string of spy cases. Most recently, a Tallinn court earlier this month sentenced a Russian citizen living in
Estonia to 5 years behind bars for spying on behalf of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.

Estonia aims to be a global e-commerce superpower

Estonia hopes digital innovation will turn it into a global superpower in e-commerce by offering foreigners e-residency IDs, and
opening the door to doing business online throughout the European Union

Here, a farmer’s Smart ID is used to track geographic location, crops, and livestock. This allows government
officials to give targeted assistance during disease outbreaks, droughts, or other natural disasters.
Singapore: Going digital

Singapore is in the middle of developing a National Digital Identity (NDI) system as part of its effort to
integrate technology in economic and government services by 2020.

Currently, its national ID is limited to identification purposes.

The NDI’s proposed design aims to provide more convenient and secure access to e-government services such
as filing of income taxes, paying parking fines, and securing permits for foreign domestic helpers.

In terms of integrating the NDI with commercial services, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore
plans to collaborate with the private sector to incorporate “value-added services” in the NDI. These include
signing of digital agreements and providing secure storage of digital documents.

Estonia: E-services and e-residency

Estonia is one of the most advanced digital societies in the world, and as such, its mandatory national card
provides digital access to all of the country’s e-services.

Through the country’s Government Cloud, which is part of the government initiative called e-Estonia, 99% of
public services are made available as e-services. The national card also carries embedded files and is used as the
definitive proof of identification.

According to government data, 98% of Estonia’s citizens have been issued an ID-card, and 67% make use of it
regularly.

Estonia’s national ID is used as national health insurance card, and as proof of identification when logging into
bank accounts. Citizens may also use their ID card as a legal travel ID within the EU.

Aside from these functions, it can also be used for digital signatures, i-Voting, checking medical records,
submitting tax claims, and using e-Prescriptions.
Estonia is unique in that it is the first nation to provide a “transnational digital identity” or e-Residency, to
anyone in the world. Through this, e-residents are issued a digital ID and can access Estonia’s public e-services
remotely.

The program allows foreigners to manage and conduct EU business from anywhere in the world. According to
the government’s e-Residency website, 5,033 companies have already been established by e-residents.

Peru: Know your customer (KYC), elections, SIM registration

Peru’s national ID, called the Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) or Documento Nacional de Identidad
Electronico (DNIe) is issued by the Registro Nacional de Identificacion y Estado Civil (RENIEC), the country's
national registry.

Citizens are entered into the system at birth and are issued an ID, which is renewed every 8 years.

According to a 2016 review conducted by the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication

Standardization Sector (ITU-T), which is a United Nations special agency, 89% of the country’s population has
been registered in the national database as of 2012.

Peru’s national ID is used in implementing its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) laws, which require financial
institutions to verify their customer’s identity before opening any account. This is done as part of efforts against
crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing.

In addition to this, the Peru national ID is used during elections, specifically for voter registration and voting.

Here, the voter registry is based on a civil registry that citizens enter when they first register for their identity
card. After being issued new ones at age 18, citizens present their DNI or DNIe to vote.

Peru also incorporates subscriber identity module (SIM) registration with their national ID program. For
instance, prepaid SIMs are activated only after biometric data is used to verify the user’s identity
through the RENIEC.
Pakistan: Financial and health services, face recognition, and travel

Pakistan’s national ID program is run by an independent organization called the National Database and
Registration Authority (NADRA).

According to ITU-T, its national ID database is one of the largest worldwide face recognition projects, with a
coverage rate of 98% among its citizen population. Its physical counterpart is called the Smart National Identity
Card (SNIC).

Aside from branchless banking, e-commerce, and social transfers, NADRA also partnered with the State Life
Corporation of Pakistan to include insurance against accidental death as part of the ID card fee.

The country also makes use of the SNIC to track vaccinations for children and supports biometric-based secure
health insurance.

In addition to this, Pakistan’s national ID can also double as a passport in 100 international airports, as it
adheres to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s rules for machine-readable travel documents.

India: Government subsidies, state-specific functions

India’s identification system, Aadhaar, does not issue physical IDs for its citizens. Instead, it is an open, cloud-
based system that issues a unique 12-digit identification number (UID) and records biometric information to
match with the UID.
67% of India’s national population make use of the identification system.

The functions of the program include providing government cash transfers, digital banking, and mobile money.
Through this, bank accounts are linked to Aadhaar to provide citizens subsidies for various government
programs, such as subsidies for liquid petroleum cooking gas.

Aadhaar is also linked to a text messaging platform that allows citizens to transfer funds by inputting their
unique ID number and specifying the amount to be transferred.

During elections, Aadhaar is also synced with the electoral photo identity card database, which allows the
electoral commission to weed out unqualified voters and remove them from the database.

Other functions of the UID include tracking the attendance of federal government employees, verifying
identities of travelers when reserving tickets for railways.

Aside from these, different states also use the UID for state-specific functions. For instance, in the state of
Kerala, the UID is used to track students’ educational progress.

In Bombay, ID numbers are also used for law enforcement, specifically in recording the identities of witnesses
and accused criminals in first information reports. – Rappler.com

Loreben Tuquero is a Communication student at the Ateneo de Manila University. She is a Rappler intern.

Why do many countries not have national identity cards?

Answer

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Answered Sep 27, 2015

There are many reasons that a country might object to the introduction of a national identity card,
including the following:

 Unnecessary: the majority of people already have some form of personal identity card, and
therefore do not need another one.
 Organised Crime: it is likely that identity cards will become a target for identity theft by
organised criminals.
 Surveillance: a popular opinion is that identity cards are a form of mass surveillance,
which is a step towards the establishment of a totalitarian state.
 Effectiveness: evidence suggests that national identity cards do not reduce terrorism or
organised crime. For example, despite Spain's introduction of ID cards, the Madrid train
bombings were not prevented.
 Privacy: there are concerns that national identity cards are a breach of an individual's
privacy, as the government is required to have access to their personal information.

There are only 9 countries that do not have any identity cards: Australia, Denmark, Fiji, India,
Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines and the United Kingdom and 15 countries that have
non-compulsory identity cards: Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.

The countries that do not have identity cards are often common law countries that value civil liberties,
although it does not mean that countries that do have identity cards do not value civil liberties -
however identity cards are often associated with authoritarian states such as North Korea and China.
Philippine national ID system
(UPDATED) Proponents say the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) can help improve the delivery of
government services but experts worry about its implications on privacy

Jodesz Gavilan
@jodeszgavilan

Published 10:50 AM, June 07, 2018

Updated 7:32 PM, August 08, 2018

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FOR BETTER. The national ID system hopes to streamline government services.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, August 6, signed into law the bill
that will establish a national ID system in the Philippines.

The Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report in the last
week of May 2018. (READ: National ID law: Here's the law, plus a quick summary)

The national ID system has been a very controversial issue in the past decades with experts warning that it
could violate a person's right to privacy. But government insists that security mechanisms are in place to protect
stored information. (READ: Past attempts at a national ID system: A battleground of privacy, executive power)

Before it finally becomes law, here's what you need to know about it:

Why do we need a national ID system in the first place?

The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) is the government’s central identification platform. In a nutshell,
it is a means to simplify public and private transactions.

Proponents of the national ID system said that it can greatly improve the delivery of government services –
especially for those who lack proper government-issued identification cards as a person’s record in the PhilSys
would be valid and sufficient proof of identity.
According to Republic Act 11055, the system aims to "eliminate the need to present other forms of
identification when transacting with the government and private sector."

Socioeconomic Secretary Ernesto Pernia, in March 2018, said that PhilSys "can open up opportunities
especially for the poor and marginalized and will make public service delivery more efficient."

It also aims to reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape, prevent fraudulent transactions, and ease
doing business in the Philippines.

When and where do we need to register?

RA 11055 states that every citizen or resident alien in the Philippines shall register personally a year after the
law takes effect.

Individuals can go register in the following centers:

 PSA Regional Provincial Offices

 Local Civil Registry Offices
 Government Service Insurance System
 Social Security System
 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
 Home Development Mutual Fund
 Commission on Elections
 Philippine Postal Corporation
 Other government agencies as assigned by PSA

What will I get upon registration?

All Filipino citizens and aliens shall register in the PhilSys. Individuals born after the law takes effect shall be
registered upon birth immediately.

Each registered person in the Philippines will be given a PhilSys Number (PSN) – a randomly generated,
unique, and permanent identification number.

A physical identification card will also be issued which will serve as “official government-issued identification
document” that can be used in several transactions that require proof of identification.

Where can I use the PhilID or PSN?

The PhilID or PSN can be used when dealing with national government agencies, local government units,
government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and the private sector.

The law lays out specific transactions that the ID can be used for:

 Applying for social welfare and benefits

  Applying for services offered by the GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig, and other government
agencies
 Applying for passport and driver’s licenses
 Tax-related transactions
 Registration and voting identification purposes
 Applying for schools, colleges, universities, and other learning institutions
 Applying for employment and other related transactions
 Opening bank accounts and other transactions with banks and financial institutions
 Verifying criminal records and clearances
 Other transactions defined in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)

What information will be collected?

Information to be collected under the Philippine Identification System includes demographic data such as full
name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address, and citizenship. Marital status, mobile numbers, and
email addresses are optional.

Other Stories

Duterte signs national ID system law

Filipinos will soon be asked to register with the Philippine ID System in order to get their national ID. Lawmakers give assurances
that privacy rights and data will be protected.

'Record history' casts cloud of doubt on Philippine national ID system

(UPDATED) Privacy experts warn that maintaining a record history in what could otherwise be a beneficial identification system may
pave the way for 'dataveillance'

Data privacy, rights groups urge PSA to delay approval of national ID system IRR
The groups call on the Philippine Statistics Authority to extend the period for public consultations for the implementing rules and
regulations of the Philippine Identification System

Biometric information will also be recorded, including front-facing photograph, full set of fingerprints, and iris
scan. Other identifiable features may be collected if necessary.
An identification card called PhilID will also be issued under the new system. This physical card will bear the
information such as a person’s unique PSN, full name, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, address, and
front-facing photograph. Marital status is also optional.

A person applying to be part of the PhilSys needs to present a birth certificate. Resident aliens, meanwhile, will
need certification of their status. Additional documents may be requested upon assessment.
.

Who will handle my data?

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is the main implementing agency of the national ID system. It will
maintain and secure all the information collected from all Filipinos and registered aliens in the country.

According to the law, the PSA will be assisted in technical aspects by the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT). It can also adopt “new but more effective” technology that can help in
the registration, authentication, and security of all data.

A PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council (PPCC) will also be established to formulate policies “to ensure
effective coordination and implementation” of the PhilSys. The council will be composed of representatives
from different government agencies including the Department of Budget and Management, Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), among others.
How secure will my data be?

The law explicitly states that there are only two ways by which the registered information can be accessed or
used: if the registered individual gives consent or if there is a court order issue in the interest of public health or
safety.

When the information about a certain individual needs to be released, the registered person will be notified of
the disclosure within 72 hours. The existence of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 also reinforces the state's
"commitment" to having a legal recourse in the event of violation of one's privacy.

Laguna 3rd District Representative and co-author Sol Aragones assured the public that the PSA will keep the
vital information secure.

"May mga safeguards na nagsasabi na masesecure ang data (There are safeguards that will ensure that the data
is secure)," she told Rappler on Tuesday, June 5, adding that implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which
will be released 30 days after the law is signed by Duterte, will spell out more as to how the agency will secure
the data.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC), meanwhile, said it intends to build trust with the people by
mitigating risks of breaches and leakages and making sure government agencies adhere to the Data Privacy Act.

“Personal data breaches and violations to data subjects’ rights are man-made," NPC commissioner Raymund
Liboro said on May 28. "They can be prevented by building resilience and a culture of privacy and protection
with the organization."

What are the concerns regarding the national ID system?

While the system has its benefits, data privacy experts worry that several provisions blur the line between
what’s appropriate and what may constitute a violation of one’s privacy. (READ: 'Record history' casts cloud of
doubt on the national ID system)

The inclusion of the so-called “record history” in the law is a cause for concern, according to privacy lawyer
Jam Jacob, legal and policy adviser of technology and rights advocacy group Foundation for Media Alternatives
(FMA).

The record history, as defined in the law, refers to details of authentication requests made whenever a
government-issued identification card is used in any transaction by a registered individual.

Jacob warned that maintaining a record history may pave the way for "dataveillance." (READ: What you need
to know about state surveillance)

“It can result in a centralized file that will give a detailed history of an individual’s activities over an extended
period,” Jacob said. “That essentially makes it a comprehensive surveillance system.”
Data privacy lawyer Cecilia Soria, meanwhile, pointed out that the national ID system is not the only way to
improve government services. The proponents should also look into their inefficiencies, she added. –
Rappler.com

ID features
The PhilSys ID card issued to all citizens and foreign residents registered under the PhilSys is the physical
medium to convey the vital information about the person’s identity.

It will contain the PhilSys number (PSN)—permanent identification number that will be assigned to every citizen or
resident alien—full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints of the bearer.

Lacson defended the proposal from criticisms on privacy, saying information about the cardholder is already kept by
various government agencies that issue ID or other documents.

“Don’t they have driver’s licenses? Don’t they have passports? Don’t they have voters’ IDs? The information needed
for the national ID is the same so why should they complain when they have already gone through the same
process before?” he said, noting that PhilSys ID will contain security features and prevention against the
proliferation of fraudulent or falsified identification cards.

Lacson, however, said that having national IDs would not be compulsory.

The initial application and issuance, as well as the renewal of PhilSys ID for Filipino citizens, will be free of charge.

To register with the PhilSys, citizens must present their birth certificates. Resident aliens, on the other hand, need to
show their proof of residence in the country.

Uses
Proponents of the measure call the PhilSys ID the “one for all, all for one” ID as it seeks to synchronize and
harmonize all “countless and redundant” government-initiated identification cards into a unified and efficient system.

Lacson said there are at least 33 different “functional” identification cards issued by various government agencies
such as the Unified Multi-Purpose ID issued to members of the Social Security System, Government Service
Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund).

“The PhilSys will eliminate the need to present other forms of identification in a wide variety of public and private
transactions, services and derivative identity credentials,” Lacson said.

Aside from serving as a proof of identity, the ID card may be used in application for services and benefits granted by
the government, application for passports and driver’s license, admission to government hospital, private or public
schools, and bank and tax-related transactions.

Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez on Monday said the passage of the National ID System would help the
government administer the unconditional cash transfers as it would make the identification of beneficiaries easier.

The proposed measure mandates the Philippine Statistics Authority to act as the PhilSys Registry, the repository of
all data including the PSN, registered records and information of all individuals registered in the PhilSys.