In this review, I will discuss everything you need to know about the new Philippine National ID, which is required by law. The latest SWS survey results show that the majority of Filipinos (73%) support the national ID system.
In May 2018, the Senate and Congress ratified a bill after many corrections, which require every Philippine citizen and alien living in the country to register for a national identification card.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte sign Can I Apply Online or Walk in the Bill into law in June of 2018. This now means all Filipinos will need to register for the new national ID card.
The system is all-inclusive and age limits and special circumstances do not apply to anyone.
National ID has been talked about for many years and has been a controversial subject to say the very least. There are always concerns about imposing national ID, such as privacy issues and what could be the real motives behind the national ID card.
I think this controversy will carry on for many years to come and the government will find some resistance from the population who will now be required to register and carry an ID card at all times.
In this review, I will discuss many topics that I hope will allow you to get your national ID card PhilID or PhilSys Number (PSN) without too much hassle.
Unfortunately, some information is not available to give due to the fact the President only signed the bill into law this month.
The national ID card rollout will be an enormous undertaking by the government and I recommend you keep current with developments by checking with the local government or look for updates on the internet frequently.
I want to point out in the introduction that the information today is everyone residing in the Philippines needs to register within one year of the signing of the new law. You have until June 6, 2019, to register.
What is Philippine National ID?
The Philippine National ID is the government’s central identification platform for all citizens and resident aliens of the Philippines.
What is National ID System Law
This is where the new Philippine ID becomes complex. You will be required to register for the national Philippine ID card and the government like your address, date of birth, contact details, blood type and more, will store data about you.
You will undergo an iris scan for ultimate identification and the government in the guise of supplying the cardholder with better government services does all this. How this will work out is beyond comprehension.
Allegedly, your new Philippine ID card will be sufficient for you to avail yourself services from government agencies like PhilHealth, GSIS, etc.
However, why does the government need your fingerprints and iris scan for you to avail of these services? Will it prevent corruption as claimed? Who is your ID protecting? You or the government official? It all sounds suspicious to me. Read more about IRR of the RA 11055 or PhilSys Law.
How to Apply Philipine National ID
Now the information is sketchy on where to apply for the PhilID card, however, the Philippine National Statistics office is handling the data and overseeing the implementation of the national ID card so in the first instance I would advise you to check the Philippine Statics Authority (PSA) for further information.
Visit https://register.philsys.gov.ph/
Issuing the national ID card will not happen overnight so for those of you in a hurry to avail of the ID card check online for updates. However, once you have applied it is planned you will be able to check the ID card status online.
For Filipino citizens living in the provinces check with your Barangay captain for updates on where to apply.
For foreign nationals living in the Philippines I suspect the new national ID card or PhilID will make you ACR/Icard obsolete so please check with your local Bureau of Immigration before your Icard expires.
The Benefits Of National ID System In The Philippines
Let us look at the benefits and disadvantages of having a national ID card.
Well, the first benefits are that all of your information is now stored under one roof (or computer file), this should speed up any transaction you make when dealing with the government bodies such as pensions. All of your data is stored on the chip in your card no need to worry about a thing.
Many of us require police clearances as part of employer policies the national ID will help you meet the requirements of the applications and with the national ID, this should be a simple straightforward process.
When dealing with the BIR the new methods will come into play and long queues should dissipate when the national ID is fully implemented, paying your taxes will have never been so easy.
Need a new passport from the DFA, the national ID card will remove the vast amount of their background checks and will make passport issuance a quick and easy process.
When applying to colleges or universities all of your information is at your fingertips making life easy and allowing you to concentrate on what is important. Your smart card national ID is all you need to make application processing straightforward.
The new national ID card is said to bring inclusion to all backgrounds, give a feeling of togetherness, and provide a better future.
We can all avail better government services by utilizing technology and computerizing our information.
Money laundering scams should be outdated with the new national ID system bill ratified and signed off by the president.
Any inter-government transaction will now become easy, as documents will be completed online as we head towards a paperless society.
It all sounds ideal really. I cannot think why we didn’t do it before!
What are the uses of the Philippine National ID
- Promote seamless delivery of service
- Improve the efficiency
- Enhance administrative governance
- Reduce corruption
- Curtail bureaucratic red tape
- Avert fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations
- Strengthen financial inclusion
- Promote ease of doing business
- 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)
Philippine National ID Alternative That Is Very Easy to Apply For
- Philippine Postal ID
The Philippine Postal ID is one of the easiest to get, and is widely accepted.If you’re a student, this is the easiest ID to get because all you need is your birth certificate or a school ID. - Passport
Philippine Passport validity has been extended to 10 years. - Social Security System (SSS) ID
- NBI Clearance
If you’re a good and upstanding member of society, this is one of the easiest IDs to get because you can apply for it online.
