PSA to establishments: Recognize PhilID or face up to P500,000 fine

This is a graphic representation of the PhilID or National ID. A Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) official said Friday, March 15, 2024, that banks, offices, and businesses must recognize the PhilID or face penalties of up to P500,000. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) official said Friday that banks, offices, and businesses must recognize the National ID or PhilID or face penalties of up to P500,000.

Deputy National Statistician Fred Sollesta, of PSA’s PhilSys Registry Office, said the PhilSys Act provides penalties for persons or entities who would deny the PhilID.

READ: More than 82 million Filipinos have registered for PhilSys IDs, says PSA

According to Sollesta, non-acceptance of PhilID – whether in a physical card or e-card – “without proper reason or just sufficient cause” entails a fine of as high as P500,000; and if the violator is a government official or employee, he or she may even be dismissed from service.

READ: PSA vows to expedite delivery of more national ID cards

“Non-acceptance, especially from financial institutions, we will report to the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” he also said in Filipino.

The PSA said 85 million individuals have registered for National ID and that 50 million of the total were given physical cards.