PSA Starts Procurement for National ID System

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced the procurement process for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will start this month, prior to its full scale registration in September.

PSA Regional Director Edgardo Pare said for this year, the agency targets to cover six million registrants for the last quarter of 2019.

“By next year, our target is around 25-31 million registrants. We will also start the registration of Overseas Filipino Workers, immigrants and dual citizens,” Pare said.

He added that a total of P30 billion is allotted for the project which will be implemented by phase until 2023.

Pare said registrants will not pay anything for the national ID but are required to bring proof of identification or valid IDs upon registration.

“The national ID will have a unique serial code depending on the registrant’s birth date, birth place and address. For those with similar names, it will have sequential code. As long as you memorize your given code, this can be validated online without the need to bring the ID,” Pare added.

He also mentioned the possibility of tapping local government units for spaces where they can set up as many registration centers as possible to accommodate the volume of registrants.

“These centers will be manned by a minimum of five personnel equipped with eye scanner, printer, biometrics, camera and strong internet connection,” Pare said.

Under the law, the Philippine lD 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 this 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. (CLJD/MJLS-PIA 3)