ONE of the major causes of delays in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program aid is the lack of identification cards among many beneficiaries. The Philippine Identification System or PhilSys can help address this and the recurring delays in the distribution of other government assistance.
Through the PhilSys, it would be easier to identify target recipients for social protection programs. Once the national ID system is in place, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for example, will be able to assist beneficiaries directly through digital means. They will also be able to access government benefits better and faster.
DSWD currently relies on the SAP forms distributed and provided by barangay officials and local government units.
Lack of identification also means zero or little access to basic public services, including banking and financial transactions. Many are among the unbanked or outside of the financial system just because they have no IDs.
Actually, the national ID system’s implementation in the Philippines is long overdue. It should have been implemented years ago – before the pandemic. Unfortunately, there have been some delays in its implementation that is why it has not been easy for the DSWD to provide the SAP and other kinds of benefits to the people.
Once the national ID system is in full swing, there is also a need to have data interoperability among government agencies. Will other government agencies be able to share databases with the DSWD so that they won’t be wasting resources? Because sometimes, we seem to be giving too many benefits to people, and we don’t know whether there are actual changes in their lives as a result of all the programs that the government is providing them.
Government agencies must synchronize and share their data to prevent beneficiaries from receiving double or triple assistance – this is a terrible misuse of government funds. It’s corruption.
Data interoperability will also help the government monitor the assistance’ impact on the beneficiaries’ lives.
Ah yes, the importance of data privacy in the implementation of the national ID system cannot be overemphasized. We have a stringent privacy law that is sometimes misunderstood by people. How do we implement the national ID system while maintaining privacy? The issue is not whether people should have access to one’s personal information. It is more of making sure that there will be those who will be made accountable due to misuse in accessing data.
The nationwide implementation of the PhilSys is mandated by Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System Act. Signed by President Duterte on Aug. 6, 2018, the Act decrees the establishment of a single national identification system that aims to provide a valid proof of identity for Filipino citizens and resident aliens in the country.
The PhilSys is lodged with the Philippines Statistics Authority.
