Improved postal ID harder to fake

The new postal ID has the cardholder’s biometric data, a hologram and other security features. Annelle Tayao-Juego

THE PHILIPPINE Postal Corp.  (PHLPost) has launched an “improved” postal identification card, one with better security features compared to the ID introduced in November 2014, to prevent unscrupulous individuals from creating fakes.

In addition to the existing Postal Reference Number (PRN), guilloche and Quick Response (QR) code, the security features on the improved postal ID include: a hologram of a running mailman seen only at a certain angle; ultraviolet (UV) ink that lights up under UV light; and a smaller “ghost” image of the cardholder’s photo.

Cardholders’ biometric data, taken from their fingerprints, are entered by PHLPost during the application process in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) software for added protection.

“The corporation felt that we needed to come out with a better ID that’s hard to fake. So if, for example, [a person named] Evelyn who has already applied for an ID tries to apply again under the name Maria, the system will alert us that she is already in the system because of the unique [biometric data],” said Luis Carlos, PHLPost assistant postmaster general for marketing, in an interview.

“Because of all these features, it would be extremely difficult and expensive for entrepreneurial folks to copy or fake the improved ID,” he added.

Asked about AFIS’ security, especially in light of the recent hacking of the Commission of Elections website which led to the leakage of voters’ personal information online, Carlos assured the public that the database was fully secure. Under a joint venture agreement, PHLPost is working with local IT company Filmetrics Corp. to manage cardholders’ biometric data. Filmetrics provides the same service for the Social Security System for the Unified Multipurpose ID.

PHLPost also came out with a QR code scanner application which can be downloaded on iOS (Philpost QR Scanner) and Android (Postal ID Verification) devices which can be used to verify the authenticity of cardholders’ information.

The improved postal ID, which was presented to members of the media and PHLPost employees at the Post Office’s headquarters in Manila on Friday, costs P504, inclusive of value-added tax and delivery fee. Those who plan to apply can just go to any of the Post Office’s 261 branches nationwide for data capturing, said Carlos. Applicants can expect their cards to be delivered to their specified address within

13-15 days since all the cards will be processed and printed in Philpost’s Manila office.

However, Carlos said that they were working on putting up card processing printing facilities in Cebu and Visayas for speedier processing and delivery in Visayas and Mindanao. Those interested to apply may call PHLPost’s hotline at 7427349 or 2309875; 0917-5215373, 0998-8447629 or 0925-3212291.