House ratifies national ID system bill

The House of Representatives ratified on Wednesday night the National Identification System bill which seeks to integrate multiple government IDs in the country.

The lower chamber ratified the version adopted by the bicameral conference committee without objection.

READ: Senate, House panels OK national ID system

Following its ratification by both chambers of Congress, the measure would then be up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature. If the President would not neither sign nor veto it, it would lapse into law after 30 days.

The proposed measure seeks to integrate multiple government IDs by establishing a single national identification system to be known as the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys.

The ID includes the individual’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, address and nationality, as well as biometric information, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate public order committee.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, earlier ensured a P2-billion funding for the program in 2018.

Some critics have expressed fears that the national ID system would pose threats to the country’s security and infringe on people’s right to privacy. /atm

READ: National ID system infringes on right to privacy – solons