PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has issued a memorandum circular directing agencies to prepare for the use of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) and its integration into government processes. 

Memorandum Circular No. 95, signed on Feb. 7., mandates all government agencies — including government-controlled corporations, local government units, and government financial institutions — to incorporate and integrate in their respective databases and services the Philsys Number (PSN) and Philippine Identification (PhilID) of registered individuals as well as the other components of PhilSys. 

“The covered agencies shall prioritize PhilSys integration to enable the use of PhilSys-enabled services, involving, among others, online authentication processes and proper controls for the PhilID, including features such as real-time authentication and validation, as established by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), within two years from the launching of the said services in their respective agencies,” the memo states. 

The circular orders covered agencies to identify processes that can utilize the Philsys as well as determine the appropriate types and quantity of biometric authentication devices that need to be procured. 

Agencies are also mandated to develop their respective two-year work plans indicating the activities to be covered by the integration initiative; and coordinate with and enter into formal agreements with the PSA to ensure effective implementation of the PhilSys integration. 

Mr. Duterte signed the law that created PhylSis in 2018. 

A total of 50,014,382 Filipinos completed the second step of PhilSys registration as of Dec. 11, 2021, according to PSA. 

Step 1 involves submission of data; step 2 covers data validation; and the last step is the issuance of the PhilSys Number and ID. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza 

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