MANILA – Opposition Sen. Franklin Drilon assured on Wednesday that the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act has enough safeguards to protect the privacy of Filipinos.
Drilon said the main objective of the identification (ID) system, which will have its pilot test from September to December this year, is to enhance the delivery of basic services to the public.
“The law has enough safeguards to protect the sanctity of the individual’s information and protect their right to privacy. It protects against unlawful disclosure of information and punishes those who will subvert the system for unlawful ends,” Drilon said.
Drilon added the law not only ensures the privacy of Filipinos, but also the efficient delivery of services and ease transactions with government agencies.
“With a national ID system in place, it would be easier for individuals seeking basic services from the government to identify themselves and for agencies, both public and private, to verify the information,” Drilon said.
He added in making the PhilSys Act, lawmakers provided a balance between enhancing the system of legal identification for better service delivery and protecting the right to privacy.
Drilon said the data that will be included in the national ID system would not be different from the information that is present in all government-issued IDs.
“The type of information collected and the purposes for which they may be used is limited,” he added.
Under the national ID system, a common reference number will be given to all Filipinos containing essential information such as full name, address, date, place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, date of card issuance, along with a recent photo.
“Today, you open a wallet and you will find a driver’s license, a voter’s ID, a Social Security System/Government Service Insurance System ID, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. ID, Tax Identification Number card, among others. Once the National ID is distributed to every single Filipino here and abroad, transactions will be made easier and faster,” said Drilon. /PN
