Nat’l ID: Is it good or bad?

ILOILO City – A “threat to people’s right to privacy” was how the human rights group Panay Alliance-Karapatan described the national identification (ID) system which President Rodrigo Duterte approved on Monday.

For the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), however, it is a big boost to the campaign against crimes and terrorism.

Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act of 2018, aims to

simplify public and private transactions by providing Filipinos and foreign residents a universal identification card.

Under the new law, all citizens will be provided with a Common Reference Number (CRN). The CRN will be contained in an ID card along with essential information such as full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, date of card issuance, and a recent photo.

RIGHTS GROUPS WARY

“This national ID system is a big threat to our right to privacy, freedoms and right against surveillance,” said Panay Alliance-Karapatan secretary general Reylan Vergara.

The Duterte administration could use it spy on its critics and perceived enemies, he said.

Vergara also questioned the government’s capability to protect citizens’ data collected through the national ID system.

“Hackers may steal the data,”

he said.

Citing the huge amount of government funds needed for the national ID system, the human rights activist also warned of corruption.

“It may end up like the botched vehicle license plates program of the Land Transportation Office,” said Vergara.

He also said a national ID system should not be made a requisite to deliver better government services.

ANTI-CRIME ID

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas polic director, said Republic Act 11055 would help curb crimes.

“It will help identify criminals through latent prints,” he said.

During calamities or disasters, the ID system would be a big help in identifying fatalities, said Bulalacao.

It would also expedite the processing of licenses of firearms and police clearances, as well as help facilitate the identification of arrested suspects, the police director added.

The Philippine Identification System Act seeks to integrate various government IDs for all citizens and foreign residents in the country.

It also seeks to promote the efficient delivery of services and to lessen corruption and red tape in government.

At present, some of the government-issued IDs include the Unified Multi-Purpose ID or UMID issued to members of the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System; Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Phil-Health); Tax Identification Number; and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund).

A national ID system aims to ensure that 106.6 million Filipinos would be able to access a wide range of government services and privileges.