PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday, July 25, 2022, that 30 million physical and 20 million digital national identification (ID) cards are expected to be issued within the year in a bid to boost digitalization in the country.
In his first State of the Nation Address (Sona), Marcos said the government also targets to accomplish the issuance of about 92 million IDs by the middle of next year.
Marcos said the national ID will play an important part in the digital transformation in the country, which he said was among his priority plans during his leadership.
He said it will make transactions with the government “seamless” as identity verification will be easier.
“As the world moves into rapid digitalization, the digital divide will become more pronounced. The depth and breadth at which these technologies will be transformative in our lives is fully expected. This will open new opportunities for the creation of wealth but will also likely create inequalities,” said Marcos.
“Hence, universal connectivity will be a vital component in order to ensure that no citizen is left behind,” he added.
Marcos said he instructed the Department of Information and Communications Technology to identify and utilize digital innovations to improve governance.
He said he tasked the agency “to deploy digital connectivity across our various islands through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, the common tower program, connecting our Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (Gida) via our ‘Broad Band ng Masa’ project.”
“All relevant modes of digital transport should be utilized. These may be through a combination of terrestrial or submarine fiber optics, wireless and even satellite technology,” the President said.
“As our Public Service Act has opened the doors and removed the restrictions on foreign investment, we foresee an increase in direct investment of overseas players. This will translate into better quality, availability and affordability of telecommunications services all over the country,” he added.
Marcos said he will also remove the red tape system to advance digital empowerment.
He said he wants to make verification of contracts and issue secure Overseas Employment Certifications (OEC) for overseas Filipino workers automated so they can keep them on their phones and access them anytime.
“I call on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the DICT to make this a top priority,” said Marcos. (SunStar Philippines)