Philippines Authorities Urge Residents to Use Digital ID, Report Businesses That Refuse It

A Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) official overseeing one of the country’s major regions is urging residents to take advantage of the country’s new digital ID program, especially if they have been waiting for a physical national ID card.

There are many Filipinos in the latter category. Part of the reason that the Philippines launched a digital ID system is that authorities have struggled to meet government objectives in issuing physical IDs. It had set a goal of issuing 30 million cards by the end of 2022, and started 2023 having issued only about 22.6 million. As of this year, there is a digital ID backlog reportedly reaching about 32 million pending cards.

Last month, the PSA, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), announced the official launch of the Digital National ID, alongside new identity verification and authentication systems called National ID eVerify and National ID Check. The digital ID is designed to be used as valid proof of age, and to enable digital transactions with government agencies and with private organizations. It’s backed by the use of facial recognition, among other mechanisms, for identity assurance.

Naturally, officials are keen to promote the use of the digital ID.

At a press conference this week, PSA-7 Director Ariel Florendo told residents of his administrative region to go ahead and use the digital ID for identity verification, emphasizing that business establishments are required to accept it. “If there are establishments who will not accept this, please inform us because the penalty for this is really big,” he said, referring to a roughly $8,600 fine.

PSA-7 refers to the PSA regional office in Region 7 – Central Visayas – which includes the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. The region is significant in terms of population and economic activity, especially with Cebu being a major urban center.

Florendo went on to emphasize that PSA authorities are pressing ahead to get everyone in every village registered for a National ID, with a goal of 7 million registrants by the end of September.

Source: CDN

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July 24, 2024 – by Alex Perala