Russell O.

Collantes
AISAM

National Identification System of the Philippines

Applying for government identification cards in the Philippines is definitely never easy. You have to deal with long
lines, several forms to fill out, multiple applications fees to shoulder, and in some cases, a years-long wait before actually
having the card in you hands. But a new bill hopes to change all this-House Bill 6221, or the Filipino identification system
Act, which was approved by a bicameral conference on May 22.
The House bill 6221 will issue a free single official ID containing a Common Reference Number that can be used
for transactions at different government agency/offices. This unified system would promote seamless delivery of public and
social services, and enhance administrative governance.
In addition, the National ID is  ID is expected to reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, avert fraudulent
transactions and misrepresentations, strengthen financial inclusion, and promote ease of doing business.
Consequently, every Filipino and resident alien of the country shall be identified through the use of a unique and permanent
PhilSys Number (PSN), which is randomly generated. It shall be the standard number assigned to each individual to be
incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies.
Indiscriminate data collection may pose risks to individual privacy. Such is the reason why privacy remains to be
one of the main concerns surrounding the establishment of a national ID system. As such, data to be collected by the
Philippine Registry for the national ID shall be limited to demographic information such as: a) Name; b) Sex; c) Date of
Birth; d) Place of Birth; and e) Address. Other information such as Mobile Number and E-mail address of the cardholder are
optional. Also, Biometrics information to be collected include facial image, full set of fingerprints, iris scan and if necessary,
other identifiable features of an individual as may be determined.
The national ID system established byA.O.308 redefines the parameters of some basic rights of the citizenry vis-a-
vis the State; it imposes a duty on a citizen to get an ID before he can be given the right to deal with government agencies
delivering basic services. So, it deals with a subject of general concern or common interest that should be covered by law
enacted by Congress. It cannot be covered by a mere administrative order.
The government has yet to prove it is capable of protecting its citizens’ data, with several instances of hacking of
government websites and digital assets over the past years. The biggest case of a data breach was the “Comeleak,” which
exposed voters’ personal information. Legislators who opposed this move by the government were concerned about the
safety of everyone’s personal information from data leaks and other security attacks.
The bill made it clear that the information in the FilSys, despite being in the safekeeping of the PSA, cannot be
disclosed to any requesting agencies without the consent of the ID holder, unless it falls under the following situations: In
cases of accidents or disasters, where the ID holder’s medical history is needed by medical workers. When the interest of
public health or safety requires the data
The bill also states that PSA, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National
Privacy Commission must implement measures that will guarantee the safekeeping of the information.
Once a national ID system is in place, government and private agencies will no longer need other IDs to verify a
person’s identity. Verification can already be done easily through the automated system which will come together with the
implementation of the FilSys. From airports to banks, there’s no need for you to stress about bringing a number of valid IDs
just to get your transactions going.