Several children in Barangay Gueguesangen, Mangaldan, Pangasinan were unable to apply for a national identification card because their parents have not applied for the ID themselves.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) visited the area so residents can register for the national ID. Priority was given to children aged one and above.

Delgar Doroya, a parent, accompanied three of his children - four , six, and 10 years old. 

"‘Yan ‘yung hinahanap nila sakaling magpapa-enroll ka [sa paaralan]," Doroya said.

However, his four-year-old child's application was not accepted.

Based on PSA guidelines, parents must be validated before registering children, one to four years old, for the national ID.

Children in this age group can still register if accompanied by a guardian who has already registered for the National ID.

“They can nominate or they can authorize someone, kamag-anak nila, kapatid nila, or anyone in the family na legal age na maging authorized representative nila, as the guardian of the child na ipaparehistro nila," Christopher Flores, the focal person for PhilSys in Pangasinan, said.

DIGITAL ID

Meanwhile, the digital ID can now be downloaded online at id.gov.ph. Visitors need to fill out forms and follow instructions on the website.

"This is a proactive measure dahil medyo nadi-delay ‘yung delivery ng plastic card ID... para mas mabilis na ma-enjoy ng mga tao ‘yung benefits ng National ID," Flores said.

The digital ID can also be downloaded via the eGovPH app and used as a valid ID for various transactions. It can be used as a replacement for the ePhil ID or plastic card ID.