The Philippine Statistics Authority’s proposed ₱2.48 billion digital National ID partnership has cleared an investment review and is moving into competitive procurement. The project would cover upgrades, operations and maintenance across the country’s National ID system under a 20-year concession.
The Investment Coordination Committee’s Cabinet Committee approved the Philippine Digital National Identity project at its September 9 meeting. The PSA disclosed the approval this week, saying it advances the unsolicited public-private partnership to a comparative challenge process running through the fourth quarter of 2026.
Unisys Public Sector Services Corporation is the original proponent. Other potential proponents will be invited to match or improve its proposal during the comparative challenge. The approval authorizes the project to advance into procurement; it is not a contract award to Unisys.
The planned arrangement is Build-Transfer-Operate, with the 20-year concession following a six-month transition period. The PSA estimates the project at ₱2.48 billion and says it is intended to improve the National ID’s digital infrastructure and services.
Its scope extends from registration and card production to authentication services, the technical onboarding and integration of private-sector organizations that rely on National ID checks, and operation of key information and communications technology infrastructure. Registration and the subsequent use of an identity record to access services would both fall within the proposed partnership.
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Claire Dennis Mapa said the PSA intends to draw on private-sector expertise and resources while retaining the National ID’s public purpose as proof of identity for access to services. The approving committee is chaired by the Department of Finance and co-chaired by the Department of Planning, Economy, and Development.
Financial institutions are already connecting customer verification to the National ID. GoTyme Bank integrated account opening with National ID Authentication Services, allowing applicants to verify against PSA records without uploading a separate government ID image.
The central bank has also proposed mandatory National ID authentication for supervised financial institutions, covering digital customer identification and verification. That proposal is separate from the procurement. Under the PSA project, technical onboarding and integration of private-sector relying parties would become part of the National ID partnership’s operating responsibilities.
Sources: Philippine Statistics Authority
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
