I HAVE identification cards (IDs) for almost all major applications needed in order to go about and transact business in this country. A driver’s license for motoring along public roads, an office ID for work, a Philhealth card for health purposes, an ATM for the banking, a UMID e-card for GSIS and lots of others like my KBP accreditation as a broadcaster, NCCA ID for my voluntary involvement with the Committee on Cinema, PhilCare card for my medical and dental services and BIR TIN card for my tax payments and other purposes.
What I do not have yet is senior citizens card for discounts as I still have few years before I visit the Office of City Social Welfare here in Baguio. If I will still avail my SSS ID as a member and Comelec ID as a voter, then this will make a dozen cards if I include my Cordillera News Agency and Baguio Correspondent and Broadcasters Club press-cards.
Acquiring all these cards will definitely cause an imbalance on my back pockets as my wallet will be half-inch thicker. The big question now is, will this national ID card serve its purpose and tell who we really are? According to House Bills 3425, 2243, the law enacted by congress and signed by President Duterte, the current multiple identification system in the government is one of the causes of red tape in the bureaucracy thus a single ID system is one solution.
Accordingly, the Philippines is one of few remaining countries in the world without a national identification system thereby creating unnecessary and costly redundancies in the bureaucracy. Said Identification System will now consolidate all government-issued ID systems into one to improve government services and limit red tape in government transactions. We therefore expect streamlined transactions especially now that the government pushes for ease of doing business.
As an official document that bears a person’s identity, marital status, birth, and other personal circumstances, it may also be used for voting, enrollment and employment as well as availing senior citizens’ benefits. The national ID may also be used as police clearances and as legal documents in courts.
On the aspect of national security and peace and order, the new ID system removes the insurgents and criminals’ advantage of anonymity. This helps the armed forces in its campaign against the New People’s Army rebels and Moro terrorists. A top AFP official stated that the system will restrict the rebel’s movement and it will affect their recruitment and extortion activities. On the other hand, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde also told media that the ID system will allow the police to share its crime record with the different agencies of the government.
As the implementing agency, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) together with National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies will spearhead and initiatives and moves fully document and register eligible registrants to the national ID system.
We were told that in the coming months, the PSA, in collaboration with Council member-agencies, will be conducting a pilot implementation in selected regions in the Philippines and I certainly look forward when this will happen in the Cordillera.