A LAWMAKER filed a measure institutionalizing a national Voluntary Information Personal (VIP) Card that would contain all vital information of every citizen in the country.
Representative Al Francis Bichara (second district, Albay) said House Bill 131 would institutionalize a national identification card in order to facilitate and streamline government transactions.
The VIP card will contain the bearer's permanent serial number, name, photograph, residence address, date of birth, sex, height and weight, nationality, blood type, polling precinct and special medical needs, among others.
"The VIP card will protect, secure or save the holder from red tape in the government bureaucracy, unnecessary harassments, and wastage of time and from death of permanent injuries in case of accidents and/or disasters," said the lawmaker.
The card shall be presented and honored in transaction requiring the identity, status, birth and all other personal circumstances such as transaction with any government agency, application for passport and driver's license.
The VIP card can also be used in filing applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Home Development Mutual Fund.
Bichara said the VIP card can function as proof of identity for admission in all schools, colleges and universities, learning institutions, as well as for employment purposes.
The SSS earlier spearheaded the project of a non-mandatory unified ID system in which four other agencies of the government are part of. The IDs of SSS will also contain the voter's information to be obtained from the Commission on Elections. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)