The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that the registration for the Philippine national ID is set to begin in December this year as a part of its dry run phase.
National Statistician Lisa Bersales said that during its dry run phase, the PSA is targeting to have one million Filipinos registered for the ID system.
The dry run phase will be in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) for the “proof of concept” which involves “test registration, validation, all the process in between, up to issuance of the Philippine ID”.
“After the proof of concept is tested for about six months, we will learn from what happened and make any adjustments on the technical specifications and other processes for PhilSys. Then, next year, we will do the procurement of the full PhilSys system learning from the proof of concept,” said Bersales.
Earlier, PSA spokesperson Lady Tuble said that the registration will be free-of-charge.
Tuble explained that the national ID will unify government IDs such as PhilHealth, GSIS, Pag-ibig, SSS, NBI, TIN, postal ID, barangay, and voter’s ID, driving license and passports.
Open for OFWs
Senate minority leader and principal author of PhilSys in the Senate, Franklin Drilon, said that overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) will also be eligible to register for the national ID.
“Filipinos living and working abroad can register at embassy or consular offices in their countries of location to get their assigned Common Reference Number (CRN). The application for the ID system shall be free of charge, as part of the government’s social responsibility,” Drilon said.
OFWs are advised to wait for further announcements on the registration procedure for the national ID.
Among the benefits of the national ID include:
– The ID will serve as an official government-issued identification document
– It can be used when applying for a passport and driver’s license
– It will reduce the cost of having to apply for multiple valid IDs
– It can be used for voting registration and identification
– Opening bank accounts and tax-related transactions
Those who will register for the national ID will be given a Common Reference Number (CRN) with their personal information including their full name, sex, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, address, and a front facing photo.
