Step-by-Step Process: How To Sign Up For PhilID At PhilSys

Tatler talks about the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) which the national government signed into law last 2018

In many countries, a national ID is issued by the government to give people easier access to different social welfare programs. The card is also considered an official government-issued identification document as it contains the full name, facial image, birth date, address, and fingerprints of the bearer.

Here in the Philippines, we have Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys). The law seeks to "simplify public and private transactions" by collecting biometrics (fingerprint, iris scan, and photograph) of those who will register and store them in a universal identification card.

Above President Rodrigo Duterte holds the Philippine National ID | Photo: CNN

By making the card available online, its proponents aim to accelerate the country's transition to a digital economy. They also promise to reduce fraudulent schemes in many government services and "empower Filipinos" with better control over their personal data.

In this article, Tatler discusses everything you need to know about the national ID system of the Philippines.

HOW MANY TIMES DID THE GOVERNMENT ATTEMPT TO ISSUE A NATIONAL ID?

Contrary to popular belief, this is not the first time that the government tried to issue a national ID. In history, there are already three administrations that attempted to implement such law; these are former Presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Fidel V. Ramos, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE NATIONAL ID SYSTEM?

The number one concern when it comes to the national ID system is privacy. In the past years, several government websites were hacked, making Filipinos sceptical of the government's capacity to take care of private data.

Some Filipinos are also afraid that the data collected from them may be spilt elsewhere or used against them. Josh Malonzo, a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), fears that the system could be used for surveillance under the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

The controversial measure has provisions that put dissent in a bad light. "National ID system? While the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is in full effect? This is basically mass surveillance," Malonzo said.

According to National Statistician Dennis Mapa, the government plans to protect private data by using a "complex privacy-protective system". "The registrants remain the owner of the data in the PhilSys registry and their personal data will not be used without their consent," said Mapa.

WHO CAN REGISTER FOR A NATIONAL ID?

All Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines or abroad can register for a national ID. People who hold multiple citizenship and foreign nationals who have lived in the country for more than six months are eligible to apply.

The registration is also open for people of all ages.

WHERE TO REGISTER?

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is in charge of the mass registration for the national ID. The department will establish both fixed and mobile registration centres in strategic locations.

Here are public offices where you can register for the national ID:

Individuals can go register in the following centres:
PSA Regional Provincial Offices
Local Civil Registry Offices
Government Service Insurance System
Social Security System
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
Home Development Mutual Fund
Commission on Elections
Philippine Postal Corporation
Other government agencies as assigned by PSA

Filipinos may also choose to register online via Philsys' official website.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Applicants who wish to get the national ID are advised to present an original copy of at least one of the following:

Primary Documents:

PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth AND one (1) government-issued identification document which bears full name, front-facing photograph, and signature or thumb mark.
DFA-issued Philippine Passport or ePassport;
GSIS or SSS-issued Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card (UMID);
Land Transportation Office (LTO)-issued Student’s License Permit or Non-Professional/Professional Driver’s License

Secondary Documents:

PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/NSO-issued Certificate of Live Birth with Birth Reference Number (BreN)
LCRO-issued Certificate of Live Birth
PSA-issued Report of Birth
PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Identification Card
Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
Seaman’s Book
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
Senior Citizen’s ID
SSS ID
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
Licence to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID
NBI Clearance
Police Clearance/ID
Solo Parent’s ID
PWD ID
Voter’s ID
Postal ID
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
Philhealth ID
Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-issued Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
National ID from other countries
Residence ID from other countries

HOW MUCH IS THE NATIONAL ID?

The national ID is free of charge. The government can only issue a fee if one applies for a replacement of the ID due to damage or loss.

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