Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday the government would prioritize over 30 provinces in the rollout of the national ID system or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a virtual press briefing that the priority provinces for the national ID system include the following:
- Region I – Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan
- Region II – Cagayan, Isabela
- Region III – Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales
- Region IV-A – Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal
- Region V – Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate
- Region VI – Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental
- Region VII – Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental
- Region VIII – Leyte
- Region IX – Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental
- BARMM – Tawi-Tawi
Malaya said the provinces mentioned above are already coordinating with the Philippine Statistics Authority and the DILG regional offices.
“The PSA requested the DILG for assistance in securing a memorandum of agreement with various local government agencies,” Malaya said.
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Over 30 provinces priority for national ID system – DILG
“Humihingi po kasi ang PSA ng MOA so that the different LGUs will give the necessary assistance in terms of pre-registration, the manpower requirement, in terms of transportation, in terms of crowd control as well as other logistical support,” he added.
Malaya said the mass registration for the national identification (ID) system would continue in October amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tuloy-tuloy na po ito until we are able to initially register the five million re-registrants and five million registrants before the end of the year. The rest of the country will be done next year,” Malaya said.
In August 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Philippine Identification System Act, which mandates IDs for all citizens and foreign residents.
“Today, I signed into law the Philippine Identification System Act, a measure that will establish a single national identification system that will provide good governance, enhance governmental transactions and create a more conducive environment for trade and commerce to thrive,” Duterte said.
The president said the new National ID system or “Phil-ID” seeks to promote the efficient delivery of services and lessen corruption and red tape in government.