Laguna Representative Sol Aragones praised President Rodrigo Duterte for allocating PhP2 billion pesos in the proposed 2018 national budget for the roll out of the biometrics-based national ID system.
“An effective and efficient identification system would hasten the delivery of needed social services. The President’s crucial and timely budget allocation for the national ID system shows his serious desire to assist the poor,” the congresswoman noted.
Duterte has said that the national ID project would help ease and streamline the delivery of government assistance, particularly in ensuring that only rightful and deserving recipients of the government’s PhP89.4-billion conditional cash transfer program would enjoy such benefits.
“With built-in Europe, MasterCard, Visa (EMV) chips containing an individual’s personal information and biometrics, the national ID will ensure the effective implementation of government services, more specifically social benefits and transfers to entitled individuals,” Duterte said during a previous budget message to Congress.
Aragones, who represents Laguna’s 3rd district and currently chairs the Committee on Population and Family Relations, said that a committee report on the consolidated Filipino ID System bill will soon be released. The legislative measure will be transmitted to the plenary for second reading and deliberation by all the House members.
The Filipino ID System or “Fil Sys” will synchronize and consolidate all existing government-initiated identification systems into one integrated identification system. The system will allow Filipino citizens to present just one identification card in transacting with government agencies and other commercial establishments that require individuals to present two or more government-issued IDs.
“This will be a big convenience. At present, many government and commercial transactions require the presentation of at least two IDs. With the Fil Sys, carrying numerous IDs will be a thing of the past. And the new system will be electronically secure,” Aragones noted.
Under the proposed Fil Sys bill, the government agencies that shall issue Fil ID cards are the Local Civil Registrar Offices (LCROs), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or PAGIBIG Fund), Philippine Postal Services (PPS), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The Laguna representative further clarified that the Fil ID card issued by any of the abovementioned agencies shall be honored and accepted in transactions requiring proof or verification of a Filipino citizen’s identity in both government and private or commercial transactions.