The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) opened seven registration centers on Tuesday for the ongoing Step 2 registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) in Albay province.

Cross Doreh Lee, PSA-Albay information officer, in a phone interview, said the newly opened registration centers are in Albay Central School, Arimbay Health Center, and Taysan Health Station in this city; Malilipot Central School; Ninoy Aquino Covered Court in Daraga; Arandurugan Hall in Guinobatan; and Tuburan Covered Court in Ligao City.

“The target for Step 2 will roll-out for 60-70 days but still depending on the workload capacity of every registration center or until such time that all the target households will be accommodated,” she said.

Lee said the targets for the Step 2 registration are those who were able to accomplish the Step1 or the pre-registration.

“For Albay, we were able to accomplish for 2020 Step 1 a total of 307,330 households out of the 317,686 target households and for 2021 Step 1 we still have additional 157,760 households or those who are not served for 2020 and those who are willing to register,” she said.

The PSA officer noted that the national ID is free and has no expiration date.

“It has no expiration date unless there are updates in the information given by the holder, for example, for single ladies and became married they will need to update the data. In the same way for those who are 0-4 years old when they reach five years old they need to update since biometrics will be needed already and if there is any correction or defect in the ID,” she said.

Lee added that while the ID is for free for all Filipino citizens, those who are foreign permanent residents in the Philippines or resident aliens will need to pay a certain amount.

Those from low-income households are prioritized for the issuance as the national ID will help them have easier access to bank services and is a way for them to be included in the social protection programs of the government.

The lists of the low-income households, Lee said, will come from the Listahanan 3 of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

PSA-Albay is encouraging residents of the province to avail of the registration program.

Lee said for those who are confused on where to register if their permanent address is different from their present address, “they can choose where they want to register since with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, movement of people requires lots of documents.”

Signed into law by President Rodrigo 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 will 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.

It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)