National ID should be accepted for all transactions, Duterte says
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered government agencies and private institutions to start accepting the national ID or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) number as sufficient proof of identification in a bid to improve the delivery of public services and promote ease of doing business.
The national ID will serve as the state’s central identification platform for all citizens and resident aliens of the country, Mr. Duterte said in Executive Order No. 162 signed on Monday.
The PhilSys ID (PhilID) and PhilSys Number (PSN) shall be considered as sufficient proof of identity and age in all public and private transactions, he added.
“Unless otherwise provided by law, the presentation of the PhilID, PSN or PSN Derivative, as authenticated, shall be sufficient proof of identification and of all other personal details stated therein, without need for presentation of other identification documents,” the order stated.
The national ID may be presented instead of a birth certificate in applications for marriage license, student driver permit, or conductor’s license, the Professional Regulation Commission, and those relative to voter’s registration, the order stated.
It may also be used when enrolling at public and private schools or registering for the Philippine Educational Placement Test, it added.
The EO tasks the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to ensure that “cardholders or holders of PSNs will not be prejudiced if authentication cannot be performed through no fault on the part of said persons.”
“Neither does this Order foreclose the recognition and acceptance of other government-issued identification documents in government and private transactions,” it said.
The order directs covered agencies to amend their Citizen’s Charters to integrate the components of PhilSys and accommodate its features.
Covered agencies must inform the public of these amendments, while private entities are enjoined to do likewise regarding similar changes in their identification requirements.
About 55 million Filipinos have already registered for the national ID system, but only six million cards have so far been released, the PSA said last week. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
