Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan joined City Hall employees in registering for the national identification card on Monday.
Domagoso lauded the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) that will fast-track government service and encouraged residents to register, too.
“Malaking benepisyo ito sa bawat isa (This will ba beneficial to all) in terms of, for example, basic services and other programs. Sa Maynila for example, housing o pabahay, malaking bagay ito. Kung meron kang national ID na nagpapatunay na yung mga bagay na naitanong sa ‘yo ay pwedeng masiyasat ng pamahalaan (In Manila, for example, the housing project. If you have the National ID, the government can verify the information that you provided),” Domagoso said in an interview.
The past year has been challenging for the national and local governments, including the database of the population that is why it is essential that Filipinos register with PhilSys being undertaken by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), according to Domagoso.
An updated database will be crucial in case of a crisis, like the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, as there will be an efficient basis for the distribution of food or financial assistance.
“Kung sakali mang magkaron ng mga additional benefits, let us say sa Manila, anim ang ospital natin, humigit kumulang 50 health centers. So mas madali silang matutugunan, yung mga taga-lungsod ng Maynila (In case there will be additional benefits, let us say in Manila we have six district hospitals and about 50 health centers. It will be easier to meet or respond to their needs),” he said.
Planning ahead
The National ID will also be helpful for the government to plan ahead.
“Ang gobyerno makapagpaplano ng husto kung ilan talaga ang pwede niyang yakapin sa particular na suliranin ng mamamayan (The government can plan more efficiently on how many can be given or needs assistance in a particular situation) by having proper data through the PSA,” Domagoso said.
The national ID will be helpful as well in tracking down individuals involved in crimes.
“Kung wala ka namang kasalanan sa mundo, hindi ka naman tolongges, hindi ka naman dapat kabahan (If you have done nothing wrong, you are not a scammer or a criminal, you should not be afraid),” Domagoso said.
Before the registration proceeded, a staff explained to the mayor his data are protected and will not be shared to any third party.
“Tutal mahilig tayong mag-submit ng kung ano anong data natin kung kani-kaninong website, kung kani-kaninong shopping sites, buti pa, submit natin yung sarili natin, magpa-ID tayo para mas madali makapag-plano, maging episyente ang gobyerno sa pagbilang ng tamang tao (Anyway, we always submit our data to different websites and shopping sites. Why not submit ourselves for the National ID so it will be easier for the government to plan ahead and be efficient in helping its people?),” Domagoso said.
Step 2
Meanwhile, Step 2 registration (biometrics capture) will now accept online appointment in 14 localities:
Ilocos Sur – City of Candon
Ilocos Sur – City of Vigan
La Union – City of San Fernando
Pangasinan – Lingayen
Isabela – Echague
Nueva Ecija – Science City of Muñoz
Camarines Sur – City of Naga
Masbate – City of Masbate
Antique – San Jose
Capiz – City of Roxas
Bohol – Jagna
Cebu – Bantayan
Negros Oriental – City of Dumaguete
Leyte – City of Baybay
Registrants may log in using the email address or mobile number provided during Step 1.
More information are available at the PhilSys Facebook page, through inquiries via email address [email protected] or hotline 1388.
Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the PhilSys Act, aims to establish a single national ID for Filipinos and resident aliens.
The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity and a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and opening of bank accounts.
It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)
