BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has called on the national government to implement security features similar to those used in Bacolod’s local identification cards to prevent counterfeiting.
This suggestion comes in response to concerns raised by former Negros Occidental governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela about groups, allegedly including foreigners, purchasing Philippine IDs in Bacolod for P400 each.
Coscolluela’s recent Facebook post warned of potential misuse of these IDs for purposes like money laundering or voter registration fraud.
“Alert! A group (allegedly Chinese or foreigners) has been buying Philippine IDs here in Bacolod for P400. For what reason it’s not clear. Maybe to use for money laundering or to register as residents and possible voters. Please monitor,” he wrote.
In a press statement, Mayor Benitez clarified that the compromised IDs might be national IDs, contrasting them with Bacolod’s local IDs which incorporate QR codes to facilitate validation and detect forgeries.
These QR features are already in place on IDs issued to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens within the city.
“The security of IDs is critical. Our city has implemented QR codes that help in quickly verifying the authenticity of an ID,” Benitez said.
He also revealed plans to communicate the issue with the national authorities through his Secretary-to-the-mayor, Karol Joseph Chiu, who will draft a letter highlighting the city’s proactive measures.
Mayor Benitez expressed his concerns about the increasing trend of counterfeit items, including money, IDs, and even birth certificates, stressing the efficacy of Bacolod’s security measures.
“The fake items are rampant now, including money, IDs, and even birth certificates,” he stated, reassuring that the city’s IDs are secure from such fraudulent activities due to their advanced validation process./PN
