The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) marks another milestone as it registers over 40 million Filipinos into the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
As of 31 October 2021, a total of 40,264,550 Filipinos have completed their Step 2 registrations which involve verifying the registrant’s demographic information and capturing their biometric data, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and front-facing photographs.
This milestone brings the PSA closer to the goal of registering at least 50 million Filipinos by the end of 2021. PSA Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, commends the efforts of PSA personnel and partner agencies in implementing the PhilSys.
“The PSA salutes all those who contributed to this milestone for the PhilSys Step 2 Registration. As we are nearing the conclusion of another year, we look forward to attaining our goals in registering the general population to PhilSys. Rest assured that the PSA, together with its field offices and partner agencies, are working diligently and in unison despite the pandemic to ensure that more Filipinos can use their PhiIIDs to access various services,” said Undersecretary Mapa.
The PSA continues to encourage citizens to register by citing the benefits of PhilSys as a national identification system.
“Mahalaga po para sa akin na magkaroon ng [PhilID]. Katulad ko, kulang ako lagi ng isang requirement tuwing mag-aavail ako ng papel na dapat, kaya mas madali na para sa akin na mapabilang ako sa magkakaroon ng [PhilID],” said Maria Loreta Umandap, a housewife and businesswoman from Quezon province. “Sa katulad ng mga benepisyo na nagkaroon din ng pagpapa-open ng account sa LANDBANK, mas madaling makakakuha kung sakaling mayroong darating na ayuda galing gobyerno.”
According to CARAGA Youth Representative Ken Caballes, “Isang malaking kaginhawaan para sa pamilyang Pilipino ang pagkakaroon ng National ID. Sa Pilipinas kung saan maraming kumpanya ang nangangailangan ng higit pa sa isang ID upang ikaw ay makapag-apply. Hindi na kakailanganin pang luminya o makipagsiksikan ang isang Pilipino upang makakuha ng ID tulad ng voters ID o postal ID para lamang makapagsumite sa kakailanganin nilang requirements.”
In partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), the PSA has implemented a co-location strategy allowing more than 5.9 million PhilSys registrants to voluntarily open a bank account as of 21 October 2021. LANDBANK has co-located with 493 PhilSys registration centers in 446 cities and municipalities nationwide, of which 25 registration centers are within the National Capital Region (NCR).
Through PhilSys, the PSA aims to provide registrants with easier access to social protection, health, education, and other government services. Further, this initiative is in line with the goal to achieve greater financial inclusion for all Filipinos. With the PhilID, unbanked Filipinos will have proof of identity which is a key requirement in accessing formal financial services, making them less vulnerable to onerous practices such as the 5-6 lending scheme illegally practiced in grassroots communities.
Step 3 Registration, which involves issuance of a unique and private identifying number to registrants or the PhilSys Number (PSN), and delivery of the PhilID is currently ongoing. As of 31 October 2021, more than three million Filipinos have already received their PhilID.
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)
