How the national ID works
Aimed to provide seamless government transaction and enhance the delivery of services, the Philippine Identification System Act (Phil-
Sys) was finally signed by President DuterteMonday.
The law aims to reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, avert fraudulent transactions and representations,strengthen financial inclusion, and promote ease of doing business.
But how will the national ID (PhilID) system work?
Protection of privacy Under Republic Act No. 11055 which was released to the public Wednesday, a resilient digital system shall secure the data collected and ensure the people's right to privacy, confidentiality, and other basic rights.
Objectives
The PhilSys provides a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens to simplify public and private transactions.
This will generate a PhilSys Number (PSN) that will be used to authenticate a person's identity. This means that there will be no need to provide government offices or private establishments with multiple valid or government-issued IDs to prove ones identity.
Section 6 provides that "An individual's record in the PhilSys shall be considered as an official and sufficient proof of identity."
The PSN, a randomly generated unique number, is a permanent number assigned to every Filipino upon birth, or to resident alien upon registration by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The PhilID
The Phil-ID is nontransferable and shall be issued to all citizens or registered aliens. The initial issuance and renewal of the PhilID shall be free of charge.
The information stored in the Phil-ID include the citizen's full name, gender, blood type, place of birth, address, and marital status (optional). It will also contain a QR code which contains fingerprint information and some security features. These information will be stored in the Philsys registry. Biometrics information to be collected and stored in the registry are front view photographs, full set of fingerprints; iris scan; and if necessary, other identifiable features.
How to register
A year after the law takes effect,the resident shall register personally in any of the following offices:
PSA regional and provincial offices, local civil registry offices, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), and Other government agencies or offices assigned by the PSA.
In case a Filipino citizen is residing abroad, the registration will take place in the nearest Philippine Embassy or Philippine Foreign Service post, or other registration centers that may be designated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Special arrangements shall be made for the registration of minors, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and persons in institutional households.
The PSA will also initiate mobile registrations to serve those in remote areas.
Basic documentary requirement for registration is the applicant's birth certificate.
Use of PhilID, PSN The PhilID shall be honored and accepted in all transactions requiring proof of identity including application for government services and benefits, applications for passport and driver's license, taxrelated transactions, admission to health institutions, application for admission in schools, and opening of bank accounts, among others.
Safeguards The government ensures that the PhilSys registry is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, and against accidental or intentional loss, destruction, or damage.
Individuals will be informed on how their data will be used and how they can access their information.
Penalties Those who will unreasonably refuse to recognize the PhilID or PSN as official identification of the holder shall be fined in the amount of 1500,000.
Those who will unlawfully use the PhilID or PSN shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years, and a fine up to 1500,000.
Submission of false information to the PhilSys registry shall be penalized with imprisonment of six years and a fine ranging from 11 million to 13 million.
The same penalty shall be imposed for the unauthorized issuance of PhilID by any person, and willful falsification and tampering of the PhilID.
Employees or officials responsible for keeping the PhilSys registry shall be penalized with three to six yearsimprisonment and a fine from 11 million to 13 million if their negligence results in the registry being accessed by unauthorized people.