SAN JOSE, Antique – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here may resort to mobile registration for the issuance of the Philippine ID (PhilID).
This is following PSA’s announcement that the mass registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will start this year and is expected to be completed by 2022.
Under Republic Act No. 11055, the establishment of the PhilSys aims to provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens as a means of easing public and private transactions.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Antique provincial director Jesus Escote, Jr., in a radio program, explained that the pilot test registration of selected group of individuals, such as the pre-determined Department of Social Welfare and Development beneficiaries, has begun in September 2019 and will continue until this year.
“We (PSA) piloted it to ensure a pleasant mechanism or process that needs to be done in order to have a nice flow on the issuance of Philippine ID at the same time secure the information gathered from the people,” Escote said.
The PSA official, however, clarified that fixed registration centers in the province have not yet been identified; hence, the PSA may resort to mobile registration.
To note, the PhilID is beneficial as a legal proof of identity but it will not substitute government-issued IDs that serve a purpose beyond identity authentication.
In terms of data security, Escote assured the public of PSA’s compliance with the PhilSys Act of 2018 and Data Privacy Act of 2012 to reduce data and security risks.
“We have system developments that strictly adhere to the Privacy by Design principles. Particularly, the PSA upholds proportionality, meaning, we only collect data provided in the law which are already commonly given to other agencies,” he emphasized.
Further, the National Privacy Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technolog, which are member agencies of the PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council, have the directive and capability to secure the data of the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, the PSA, being the implementing agency, also acts as the sole custodian of the data collected. (with a report form PIA-6 Antique/PN)
