Public Policy and Program Administration

Kaycee P. Garan, 3C
 Philippine Statistic Authority
(50 million PhilID target in 2022)
MAIN POINT First registration for Philippine identification system opened in
October 2020. Some Filipinos who registered received their
national IDs on time, while others had their IDs damaged in
just two months, and others who registered said they
hadn't received an ID in over a year. In order to expedite the
issuance of National Identification System, the Philippine
Statistic Authority must add more printing machines that can
print a good quality cards. Since this law aims to establish
a single national identification system for all citizens
and alien residents of the Republic of the Philippines. Identity
serves as a tool to reduce corruption, improve governance, and
keep people safe.

BACKGROUND Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic act

No. 11055, also known as the Philippine Identification
System Act on August 6, 2018. Many Barangay halls, City
halls, and other sizable government facilities were groove with
people anxiously waiting to register for the recently formed
National IDs in the Philippines during the year 2020. Everyone
of every age and socioeconomic position was present because
they understood the importance of these identification cards
for the foreseeable future. People in possession of the National
ID will be respected in transactions involving identification,
marital status, birth, and other personal situations, according to
well-publicized advertising. Additionally, it served as further
proof that the nation is moving far more quickly towards
growth. For some people, having this item gives them
optimism that our nation's general state is improving in
addition to being convenient. The procedure for this took place
three years ago, but some individuals are still on the waiting
list for their copies, while others were disappointed by the poor
quality of the copies of the IDs they received. The fact that the
IDs will become illegible and hazy after just two months was
promptly brought up. The fact that this was one of the main
grievances raised by House Deputy Minority Leader
Bernadette Herrera during the National Economic and
Development Authority’s (NEDA) 2023 budget further
demonstrated the seriousness of the problem During the
budget debate, the problem of the delayed delivery also
prompted several senators to criticize the Philippine Statistic
Authority (PSA). Senator Francis Tolentino claims that the
PSA should have foreseen the enormous number of
registrations. According to Philippine Statistic Authority, the
production of cards was delayed while registration was
ongoing. The Philippine identification system (Philsys) has
more than 70 million Filipinos registered, yet only 27 million
cards have been delivered. Before the year is over, the
Philippine Statistic Authority plans to distribute 50 million
IDs, 20 million digital IDs and 30 million physical IDs. The
number of copies will reach 92 million by the end of June
2023, spanning children and adults.
Recommendation 1 Fund for the added printing machines
Evidence 1 According to PSA, the Philippine identification system
(Philsys) and the national ID cost almost thirty billion? The
27.8 billion budgets included the hire of data collectors who
gather census data, the purchase of data collection gadgets, an
automated biometric identification system, a system integrator,
and a cyber security component. According to the PSA chief,
the government allocated 2 billion for Philsys in 2018, another
2.1 billion in 2019, and another 3 billion in 2020. However,
due of the large number of registrants for the year 2021, the
government released 4.1 billion. The announced budget for
2022 is likewise billion. The PSA introduced two printing
machines in October 2022 to address the issue of distribution
delay IDs. However, the delay and deterioration of IDs
remains a source of frustration for Filipinos. To resolve the
issue, the government should increase the PSA's prior budget
level so that they can add more printing equipment capable of
creating high-quality cards and distributing physical IDs fast
 and efficiently.
Recommendation 2 Stop the registration process
Evidence 2 Senator Francis Tolentino argues that the PSA should have
anticipated the massive number of registrants. According to
the PSA, Physical cards were delayed while the registration is
continuing. The reason of delay it is because It passes through
several processes. The first is the rigorous verification and
double-checking of data, followed by virus scanning, quality
assurance inspection, and finally courier delivery process.
Therefore the PSA must halt the numbering of registrations
and focus on those who have already registered in order to
meet their goal of delivering national IDs within 4-6 months.
Recommendation 3 Prioritize the low-income households for Physical IDs
Evidence 3 “Low-income individuals have always been our priority. The
PSA will still continue to prioritize these individuals as we roll
out the printable version of the digital ID,” said PSA
Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, National Statistician and Civil
Registrar General. “This will immediately allow better access
to more financial and social protection services through the
provision of a free valid proof of identity while waiting for
their physical ID.” However not all of low income individual
are being prioritize there are some that they are prioritizing
those who have powers. In order to have a fast process and
deliveries of PhilID they should be focus on prioritizing Low-
income individuals. Moreover, Beneficiaries of social
protection programs will be prioritized for the printed variant
of the physical PhilID in order to offer them with immediate
and enhanced access to more financial and social services.

CONCLUSION The Philippine Identification System Act proposes to create a

single national identification system for all Republic of the
Philippines citizens and alien residents. It may be used to
reduce corruption, strengthen governance, and keep people
safe. However, we are encountering issues such as delayed ID
production; therefore the recommendations will be part of the
solution.
 References

https://www.philsys.gov.ph/

https://www.imoney.ph/articles/filsys-financial-implications/

https://www.philsys.gov.ph/ephilid/

https://www.alburolaw.com/what-is-philippine-identification-system/

https://youtu.be/yKwkRZU7L0Y

https://youtu.be/XXW3X6ndp8M

https://youtu.be/bpEdQ6rUfps

https://youtu.be/NqEMLiWHhpk