MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the bill seeking the creation of a national identification system.
Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act of 2018, aims to simplify public and private transactions by providing Filipinos and foreign residents a universal identification card.
Under the new law, all citizens will be provided with a Common Reference Number (CRN).
The CRN will be contained in an ID card along with essential information such as full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, date of card issuance, and a recent photo.
The application for the new ID shall be free of charge, said Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, principal author.
“This landmark legislation is meant to ensure efficient delivery of service and ease transactions with government agencies,” Drilon said.
The national ID system will make the delivery of basic services “faster” and “more accurate,” said the Ilonggo senator.
Drilon assured that the law will not hamper data privacy – pertinent provisions of the Data Privacy Act still apply.
“We have provided enough safeguards to protect the individual’s right to privacy and to prevent unscrupulous persons from accessing confidential information,” he stressed.
Sen. Juan Edgaro Angara said the PhilSys Act of 2018 will cut down unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape in government.
“The national ID system, when rolled out across the country, will empower many Filipinos who are unable to bank because they do not have the appropriate identification cards, to access the formal financial system and open bank accounts,” Angara said.
Its enactment will ensure a “smoother” and “streamlined” government services and operations as well, he added./PN
