Duterte wants ‘best, safest system’ in national ID implementation

ID SAMPLE A Philippine Statistics Authority employee presents at the House a sample of the ID to be issued under the national ID system. —JAM STA. ROSA

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered concerned government agencies to use only the “best and safest” system in the implementation of the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys) starting in September this year.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said PhilSys was one of the main agendas tackled during the Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday night.

Panelo said National Statistician Lisa Bersales reported that its implementation will start in September 2019 with a target of six million Filipinos for registration this year.

“National Security Adviser (Hermogenes Esperon Jr.) mentioned that this is very critical for our security and suggested that the cybersecurity of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) take the lead and the security of data be taken care of by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with the help of the DICT,” Panelo said.

“President Duterte ordered the best and safest system in the implementation of the national ID system,” he added.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys Act) last August 2018.

READ: LOOK: Full copy of National ID System law

The law seeks to harmonize and integrate several government IDs by establishing a single national identification system.

The ID card will contain the bearer’s identification system number, full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints.

The government has regarded the national ID as a way to reduce corruption, avoid fraudulent transactions, and enhance governance. /kga