QUEZON CITY -- As one of the leading partners for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) program, SM Supermalls is starting to accept the Philippine Identification (PhilID) card in its SM Business Center services such as foreign currency exchange, remittance services, and credit card transactions. SM Supermalls also enjoined its retail partner affiliates and tenants to accept the card as sufficient proof of identity.

This honors the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and SM Prime Holdings to bring PhilSys closer to the mall-going public.

“The action of SM Groups to accept the PhilID as a valid ID for a financial service they offer is a big leap for PhilSys, as this will achieve our goal of providing easier, safer, and more secure access to services to the public. As we continue to work in solidarity with SM Prime Holdings, we at the PSA, commit to giving Filipinos more convenient access to private and public transactions”, said PSA Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, Ph.D., National Statistician and Civil Registrar General.

“The PhilID will boost the efficiency of transacting inside our Mall and retail partners when availing of services and products. Since June 2021, individuals who exchange foreign banknotes through any SM Store branch nationwide have the option to present their PhilID as a single valid identifying document during the transaction”, said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan.

Moreover, as part of the MOU, SM Supermalls has opened PhilSys Step 2 registration in select branches. Registrants may set an appointment in any of these branches across Metro Manila, Luzon, and the Visayas via completing the Step 1 Registration at the official PhilSys web portal and booking a schedule at the available locations.

Pursuant to the Republic Act No. 11055 or the PhilSys Act, the PSA has called for the acceptance of the PhilID in all transactions with government bodies and private entities in an advisory dated 19 May 2021. The PhilID is currently being accepted in transactions with other PhilSys partner agencies such as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Postal Corporation, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is running a pilot set for the use of PhilID in its programs including Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programs (4Ps) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

The PSA is set to launch a mobile version of the PhilID as an alternative to the physical PhilID card in order to further encourage the use of the PhilSys in digital transactions. Through this, PhilSys takes a step further into its goal of transitioning the country into a digital economy by providing Filipinos with a formal identification system that can be verified both online and offline.

For the latest on PhilSys, visit the official PhilSys website (https://philsys.gov.ph) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial/). You may also reach the PhilSys Registry Office via hotline number 1388 or e-mail at info@philsys.gov.ph. For the online Step 1 Registration, kindly go to https://register.philsys.gov.ph. (PSA)