The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Provincial Statistical Services Office informed Palaweños that there will be a mass registration for Philippine Identification System (PhilSys ID) in the month of July.
Administrative Officer 1 Romelita Hernandez of PSA-Palawan and in-charge for the national ID disclosed during the “Kapihan sa PIA” last Feb. 27, as of now, pilot testing in the selected areas in National Capital Region (NCR) and in Calabarzon or Region IV-A are still on going in order to avoid lapses and any delays during the full implementation this year.
“Tungkol po sa national ID, hindi pa po iyon bukas sa publiko [sa ngayon]; mayroon lang ginaganap ngayong pilot testing sa mga napiling lugar. So, hopefully, they’ll make here for July,” Hernandez answered the question from a reporter if there are already applicants for Philippine National ID System (PNIS) in the province of Palawan.
RA 11055 or the “Philippine Identification System Act” was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte (PD30) last Aug. 6, 2018 which aims to be the official National identity card for all Filipino citizens worldwide and foreign permanent residents in the country.
Hernandez also added that the PSA has found out during the conduct of pilot testing that it takes an average 9 to 10 minutes to get the basic information for every applicant for instance, his full name, address, birthday, birthplace, and nationality if Filipino or resident alien and his bio-metric information, such as photograph, fingerprint, and iris scanning, among others.
She likewise said that it is being conducted depending on the age bracket of the applicants. “Sa pilot testing, kasama po roon ang mga 4P’s beneficiaries, PSA employees,” she further said.
She also explained that only the demographic data or the basic information is required to disclose but the mobile number, marital status, and the email address is optional.
The PSA officer further stated that it is in voluntary basis, of which, its main purpose is to be a proof of identity to all Filipinos as well as, it can be used in order to avail the basic social services from the government.
She added that the national ID is not a replacement for the functional ID’s or the identification cards issued by the other government agencies; instead, they can still be used for their purposes.
PhilSys ID is free of charge, except the holder lost the original and he will ask for a replacement.
Hernandez asked the understanding of the public that for now, the release of ID’s is not yet automatic. But the PSA, she said, is aiming to release the ID’s seven to eight days after of Mass registration in July through pick up, or delivery to applicant’s present address or permanent address.
PSA-PSSO officer likewise informed the public that as it will be fully implemented starting 2020, all newborn child up to five years old will have their PS number. All the basic and bio-metrics information will also ask from them and it will be repeated upon reaching the legal age or 18 years old.