THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has delivered 3,102,751 Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards to registrants nationwide through the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost), as of Oct. 31, 2021.
The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Step 3 involves the issuance of the unique PhilSys Number (PSN) and the PhilID card. The PSA partnered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for card production and personalization, while PHLPost manages the door-to-door delivery of the PhilID cards.
“We humbly ask for the patience and support of the public as we, together with the BSP and PHLPost, continuously do our best in accommodating millions of Filipinos who have successfully registered for PhilSys Step 1 and Step 2. In the meantime, please stay tuned for the launch of the PhilSys mobile ID,” said PSA assistant secretary Rosalinda Bautista, deputy national statistician of the PhilSys Registry Office.
The PhilSys mobile ID is the digital version of the PhilID card. The launch of the PhilSys mobile ID aims to accelerate the use of PhilSys, by providing a digital alternative to the physical card.
The PhilSys Card Number is the public version of the PhilSys Number (PSN) printed on the front side of the PhilID which shall be used when transacting for private and government services.
Bank account opening
Meanwhile, the BSP reminds the public and BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) that the PhilSys ID is considered sufficient proof of identity to open a bank account.
“PhilSys will help more Filipinos, especially the marginalized and low-income, to begin saving money in banks and other BSFIs,” BSP Gov. Benjamin Diokno said.
Diokno added that the national ID system will support the wide scale opening of transaction accounts, particularly the Basic Deposit Account, which is designed to meet the needs of the unbanked.
The BSP instructs BSFIs that the PhilID, in both physical and mobile formats, shall be accepted as sufficient proof of identity without the need for another ID.
It also emphasized that the PhilSys will offer online and offline methods for identity authentication through the PhilID physical security features, QR code digital verification, biometric verification, and SMS one-time password.
These features will facilitate stronger and more secure methods of identity verification than traditional methods such as manual matching of handwritten signature against specimen.
BSFIs are likewise directed to include the PhilID in their list of valid IDs to be displayed on their counters, public entrances of their establishments, websites, social media accounts, and other consumer information channels. (with PR)