PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has sought the "best and safest" implementation of the national identification (ID) system, Malacañang said on Thursday, February 7.

The national ID system was on the agenda of the 34th Cabinet meeting held at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, February 6, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador said in a press conference.

Panelo said National Statistician Lisa Grace Bersales reported that the implementation of the national ID system, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System, would start in September 2019, with a target of six million Filipinos for registration this year.

"The President ordered the best and safest system in the implementation of the national ID system," the Palace official told Palace reporters.

The Philippine Identification System Act, signed on August 6, 2018, establishes a central database for all Filipinos.

The law aims to create a single national ID system for all Filipino citizens and Philippine resident aliens to simplify public and private transactions.

The new law intends to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with other forms of identification when transacting with government and the private sector, subject to appropriate authentication measures based on a biometric identification system.

The Philippine Identification System also seeks to promote seamless service delivery, improve administrative governance, reduce corruption, strengthen financial inclusion, and promote ease of doing business.

Panelo said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. had guaranteed that there would be "no snafu" in the implementation of the national ID system.

"National Security Adviser mentioned that this is very critical for our security," the Palace official said.

"[Esperon] suggested that the cybersecurity of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) take the lead and the security of data be taken care of by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with the help of the DICT," he added.

The PSA is targeting an initial six million registrants for the Philippine National ID System in September this year. (SunStar Philippines)