QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will issue 50 million national ID or Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards this year.

The PSA targets to deliver 30 million physical cards and 20 million digital IDs in printed, downloadable, and mobile format. This is following the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25.

"The target is to accomplish the issuance of about 92-million IDs by the middle of next year," President Marcos said in his SONA.

The national statistics authority will deliver digital PhilIDs to allow registrants to have their IDs printed, downloaded, or generated in the mobile app while waiting for their physical IDs.

Low-income individuals will be prioritized in the provision of printable format.

“This will immediately allow better access to more financial and social protection services through the provision of a free valid proof of identity while waiting for their physical ID,” PSA National Statistician Undersecretary Dennis Mapa in the PSA press statement on July 26.

The PSA reminded the public that regardless of the format, the ID will have the same functionality and validity.

The Agency will pilot test the printable version of the digital ID this third semester which will roll out in October, while the mobile version will be available by the end of the year. (JMB/PIA-IDPD)