What you need to know about the PH national ID and how to register
Online registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) officially begins today, Friday, April 30.
The PhilSys or national ID is a single and unified proof of identity that could ease public and private transactions and help deter crime.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has also said that the national ID can be used to fast-track financial assistance and COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Many countries in the world have a national ID system in place, making the Philippines part of the few nations that don't use one.
That is about to change as the government rolls out the system for Filipino residents.
With that said, here are the steps to register for the national ID:
Step 1: Individuals must register their demographic information such as full name, sex, date and place of birth, blood type, address, and other optional information like marital status, mobile number, and email address on the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) online portal.
Applicants can now proceed to set an appointment in the nearest physical registration center.
Make sure to bring all required documents on the day of your appointment.
Step 2: Biometric information such as fingerprint, iris scan, and photograph will be taken in the registration center. Validation of the documents will also be carried out at the registration center.
Step 3: Issuance of the PhilSys Number (PSN) and PhilID
The ID and unique PSN will be delivered to your home through PHL Post. The public is advised not to post pictures of their national ID on social media as it contains personal information.
Other important details
The PhilID is free of charge. Fees will only apply for replacement requests in case of the ID being damaged or lost.
However, those who have a Certificate of Indigency will not have to pay for ID replacement as long they present their certificate as proof.
The national ID is not mandatory. But having one offers convenience in government and business transactions.
It is no secret that some expressed skepticism on the ID system out of privacy and data security concerns.
The PSA allayed such fears and assured the public of its safety and that personal data would be protected.
The PhilID has no expiration date for Filipino citizens. Resident aliens will only have their Philippine national ID valid for one year and must renew thereafter.
Make sure to visit the PhilSys website and social media accounts to learn more about the requirements and registration centers. You can ask the LGU of your city or province to ask for the registration centers to be sure.
