PSA targets 4th quarter as start of free registration for national ID

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday said it is aiming to start the public free registration for the national ID before the end of 2018.

"Gusto po namin ma-launch ang registration, fourth quarter of this year," PSA spokesperson Lady Tuble said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

"Wala pong bayad sa initial registration. Lahat po ng magre-register ay for free except 'yung resident alien. Hindi pa po namin nadi-discuss kung magkano bayad ng renewal," she added.

Tuble said the PSA, which is the implementing agency of the national identification system, is about to draft the laws, rules and regulations for the national ID.

The new national ID aims to unify all other existing government-issued IDs, including PhilHealth, GSIS, Pag-ibig, SSS, NBI, TIN, postal ID, barangay, and voter's ID, according to Tuble.

It excludes the driver's license, issued by the Land Transportation Office, and the passport.

"Hindi pa po magme-merge ang mga ID na 'yan nang basta-basta. Sisimulan po namin ang registration bago po tayo mag-move on sa merging ng mga systems. Ayaw naman nating gulatin ang mga citizens so paplanuhin namin ito," she said.

Registration centers will be set up by the PSA and other government agencies, including the Commission on Elections, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units, and select government-owned and -controlled corporations.

Tuble said all age groups could be issued a national ID, but the PSA has yet to discuss registration for those below 18 years old.

Acquiring the national ID will not be mandatory. It will include details such as the citizen's full name, birthday, marital status, blood type, citizenship, address, mobile number and email address, with the last two being optional.

"Du'n po sa ID na i-i-issue, marami tayong ilalagay na security features para mahirapan ang mga gustong mameke ng ID. Du'n naman po sa side ng system, marami rin pong security measures na ilalagay para as much as possible ma-secure ang information ng citizens," Tuble said.

She said the registration process should not exceed an hour.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act into law on Monday.

An initial funding of P2 billion has been earmarked for its implementation. — Jamil Santos/BM, GMA News