More than 450,000 have completed the Step 2 registration of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) in the Caraga Region.

In a press statement Monday, the Philippine Statistics Authority-Caraga (PSA-13) said the registrants are from the 28 towns and five cities in the region.

“With the aim of providing a valid proof of identity and promoting a simplified and seamless public and private transaction, PSA Caraga has already registered a total of 458,068 individuals for PhilSys Step 2 Registration as of 31 August 2021,” the statement read.

Of the total, 162,064 are from Agusan del Norte; 132,430 from Agusan del Sur; 77,481 from Surigao del Norte; 60,721 from Surigao del Sur; and 25,372 from the Dinagat Islands.

The Step 2 registration records the fingerprint, iris scans, and front-facing photographs, after which the applicant will just wait for the delivery of the Philippine Identification card.

“PSA Caraga encourages those who have not yet set a schedule to pre-register through register.philsys.gov.ph. Furthermore, the respective provincial offices of the PSA are also conducting mobile registration to cater to registrants who live in areas with poor or no internet access,” the agency said.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.

The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts. (PNA)