PhilSys will go online registration
The Philippine National ID System (PhilSys), which is administered by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), is considering going online for public convenience and as part of the COVID-19 pandemic precautionary measures.
South Cotabato Provincial Statistic Officer Jilmar Grecia confirmed that the system is currently being worked on to expedite citizen registration; especially since it is already late in the schedule set by the national government.
“Indi man mandatory ang pagparehistro sa PhilSys pero advantage kung may ara sang ID sini”, Grecia explained as he campaigned for community participation in the program.
PhilSys is a national government-designed platform with the goal of creating a single national identification scheme for the country’s population and resident aliens aged five (5) and up. Its main purpose is to simplify public and private transactions, as well as to accelerate the transition to a digital economy by enabling presenceless, paperless, and cashless transactions.
It also envisioned to makes services more accessible to all Filipinos particularly the marginalized sector and senior citizens; promotes ease of doing business; enhances the integrity of services reducing fraud and empowering Filipinos with greater control over their data.
Though the said document will serve as a fundamental ID and hopes that its credentials will be accepted for most transactions, the officer made it clear that it cannot replace a functional ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or any official documents proving one’s ability to do something.
Grecia also assured the public that there is nothing to be concerned about with the data that they had shared with the system because it is safe from hackers, which is something that everyone is concerned about.
Currently, the PSA has been conducting registration in 39 barangays in South Cotabato and the City of Koronadal as pilot areas since January of this year, with completion expected this month of April.
Though no specific date has been set for the start of online enlistment, it is expected to begin soon.