DAVAO CITY (August 6)– President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Philippine System Identification Act (PhilSys Act) which mandates the government to create a single official identification card for all citizens and foreign residents that would serve as a de facto national identification number.
Duterte has assured the public that government will protect the database, amid growing concern on possible data breach and violations of privacy. He emphasized that the national ID system will pave the way for efficient service delivery, reduce corruption and strengthen financial inclusion.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that that the previous proposal on the National ID lack the system to protect its database. This time, the government will ensure that the privacy law to safeguard the database will be uphold, he added.
The Philippine Identification System Act of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will pass all the constitutional requisites, unlike the previous proposal for a National ID Bill which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Secretary Roque said the government will have the sole obligation to protect the data of citizens under the National ID system. “It will promote national security because we will have a database of all Filipinos and promote better delivery of goods and services to the people,” Roque added. Jiann Padillo/NewsLine
