THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will start pilot-testing a four-month national ID registration starting today and wants to ensure its full implementation by the second quarter next year, an official said.

Pilot tests will be conducted for about 10,000 citizens in Metro Manila first before spreading out to other cities and provinces, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa said by telephone.

The survey will focus on beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) including senior citizens, persons with disability, mothers and farmers. The agency has bought registration kits that will be installed in its offices nationwide.

All information will be stored in the PSA database for security purposes, Mr. Mapa said. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier said it would handle printing of the national ID.

The government aims to register 107 million Filipinos by 2022.

The law mandates a national ID system for all citizens and residents to improve financial inclusion and make government service more efficient. Biometric information will be collected. — Beatrice M. Laforga