MANILA (October 6)- The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) can improve the delivery of government services as it can “open up opportunities especially for the poor and marginalized and will make public service delivery more efficient.”
The Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will be the government’s central identification platform. Those who lack proper government-issued identification cards would now have valid and sufficient proof of identity.
‘Everybody will benefit especially those who receive government assistance. We can weed out fake IDs,’ says Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
The system aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification in government transactions. It is aimed to also reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape, prevent fraudulent transactions and improve the ease of doing business in the country.
Under the law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will maintain and secure all the information collected in the national ID system and will be assisted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The government has set the March 2019 timetable to roll out the national ID system. In signing the law last August 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said the PhilSys Act will pave the way for “efficient services delivery, enhance administrative governance, reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, promote ease of doing business, and strengthen financial inclusion.”
He also assured data privacy and allayed fears on possible violations and data breach issues. “That fear is based on anything that borders to illegal. If at all, the Philippine ID will even aid in our drive against the social menaces of poverty, corruption, and criminal issues as well as terrorism and violent extremism,” Duterte said in his speech during the ceremonial signing of the law.
The law explicitly states that there are only two ways by which the registered information can be accessed or used: if the registered individual gives consent or if there is a court order issued in the interest of public health or safety. –Jiann Padillo/NewsLine
