Everyone knows the joke about how to get one government-issued ID in the Philippines, you’ll need one other ID to support your application, which in turn also requires an ID. It becomes a cycle of applications to get the complete set of necessary IDs. Thankfully, that problem seems to be one nearly solved with the rolling out of Philippine National ID cards.
But what are the ID cards in the first place? Well, they’re essentially a single identification card. They will function as IDs for all aspects like SSS, BIR, PhilHealth, etc.
These ID cards have actually been in use since December 2018 already. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) had a trial run with the 1 million individuals under the Unconditional Transfer Program. Once this trial run is completed and deemed successful, the application for everyone else will begin. The PSA projects a full roll-out by September 2019.
Before we get to use them though, there are a few things that have to be tackled. The first is eligibility and this is an easy one. All Filipino citizens, regardless of where you are living, are eligible for an ID. Foreign residents of the Philippines are likewise able to apply for an ID.
The ID can be availed of (once operational) in the regional branches of the following offices:
- Regional and provincial offices of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- Civil Registry Office (LCRO) in each city or municipality
- Any Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) branch
- Any Social Security System (SSS) branch
- Any Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) branch
- Any Pag-IBIG or Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) branch
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) local or provincial office
- Any Postal office (under PHL Post or Philippine Postal Corporation)
- Other government agencies or GOCCs as may be assigned by the PSA
- For OFWs or citizens abroad: any Philippine Embassy or Philippine Foreign Service post, or other registration centers designated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and PSA
The requirements to avail of an ID are as follows:
- Original copy of Birth Certificate issued by PSA (formerly NSO), plus one government-issued ID which contains the applicant’s full name, photo, and signature or thumb mark; or
- Valid Philippine passport; or
- Unified Multi-purpose Identification or UMID card issued by SSS or GSIS; or
- Other equivalent documents approved by the PSA
- For Foreign Residents: Alien Certificate of Registration or ACR ID
Then, we have the steps of the application:
- Submit a duly accomplished PhilSys Registration Form (Form No. 1) and all documents at a registration center.
- Register your biometric information (front-facing photograph, fingerprints, and iris scan) and demographic information at the registration center.
- If both the biometric and demographic information are found to be uniqe a PhilSys Number (PSN) will be generated. If not, further verification will be needed.
- The ID will be issued once the PSN is given and the application is completed.
Lastly, these are the uses of the card:
- Social welfare and benefits granted by the government
- passports, driver’s license
- tax-related transactions
- admission in schools/government hospitals
- the opening of bank accounts
- registration and voting purposes
- transactions for employment purposes
- cardholder’s criminal records and clearances
(Related: The Struggles of Getting Valid IDs in the Philippines)
It’s important to take note that the application for these IDs has not yet opened. However, there is an expectation it will begin once the trial run has ended. So keep posted for more details on the matter!
Do you think the National ID Cards are more convenient or dangerous for our privacy?
Source: Phillippine Statistics Authority
