THE implementing agency for the Philippine Identification System Act said it is preparing the terms to auction the design contract for the infrastructure underlying the national identification (ID) system.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) told BusinessWorld in an e-mail on Sunday that it has received initial proposals from private companies for partnerships to implement the national ID, but added that it is working on a Request for Proposals (RFPs) for an open bid.
“The NIDS-PMO (National ID System-Project Management Office) has met Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. and Unisys Philippines and other service providers and has listened to the technology updates they can offer for the development of the Philippine Identification System,” it said.
“However, the Request for Proposals (RFPs) to be provided to service providers for designing the functional architecture… is still being finalized for public bidding.”
A consortium of three companies submitted a 17-year unsolicited proposal to the PSA on Aug. 13 seeking to design and develop the infrastructure to be used in implementing the national ID system.
Conglomerates Ayala Corp. (AC) through AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. through Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. teamed up with information technology company Unisys Philippines for the project.
AC told the stock exchange last week its infrastructure solution is meant to “collect, store, maintain, manage, and authenticate identity information of individuals.”
“The 17-year proposal provides an expedient, comprehensive and long-term solution that will enable the government to realize the full potential of its strategic programs by providing a safe and secure identification and benefits payment mechanism for individuals transacting with the government,” it added.
The government is seeking to implement a national ID system to simplify transactions by providing a single proof of identity.
Its full implementation is scheduled for next year.
Digital research company Research and Tech Lab (RTL) said a large majority of online interactions it observed are positive on the national ID system.
“Out of 333 publicly shared sentiments and 28,070 total reactions, comments, and shares, 81.49% see the upcoming ID system as a good move from the government,” it said in a statement on Monday.
It said 14% of the those who held positive views on the national ID noted how it will make the country “comparable with other countries that already implement the all-in-one identification system.”
For those who do not favor the national ID system, RTL said the main reasons cited are possible data breaches. — Denise A. Valdez

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