INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año told local government units that people transacting business with them who present their Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards are no longer required to present other identification cards.
In a memorandum issued to LGUs, Año said the PhilID card is enough to prove one’s identity.
“We are reminding government agencies and the private sector not to require other IDs because PhilID is already enough,” he said.
Citing the implementing rules and regulations of the ID law, DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the refusal to accept, acknowledge, or recognize the PhilID card or PSN without just and sufficient cause shall merit a fine of P500,000.
For government officials and employees, Malaya said the penalty comes with a lifetime ban from holding any public office or employment in the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.
Año said the PhilID card is a big step in streamlining information and easier transactions not only in government offices but in private establishments as well.
Año said the PhilID comes with the registered person’s information, including picture, full name, date of birth, address, sex, marital status, and date of birth. It also comes with the PhilSys Card Number (PCN), diffractive optically variable image device (DOVID), QR (Quick Response) code, and PhilSys Number (PSN) Microprint for security purposes.
“PhilID is a big help in fast-tracking processes because before, you need two or three IDs to prove your identity,” said Año. “Now, you need only one ID and you can use this in whatever transactions that require (an) ID.”
Under Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act, the PhilID card shall serve as the official government-issued identification dealing with all national government agencies, LGUs, government-owned or controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges and all private sector entities.
The Philippine Statistics Offices started registration for the PhilID card in October last year. So far, the DILG said 100,000 registrants have received their PhilID cards.
