Published — June 5, 2021
The following post does not create a lawyer-client relationship between Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices (or any of its lawyers) and the reader. It is still best for you to engage the services of your own lawyer to address your legal concerns, if any.
Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
WHAT IS PHILIPPINE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM? Learn also about DPA here: GENERAL PRINCIPLES IN COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND RETENTION OF DATA UNDER THE DATA PRIVACY ACT
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Philippine Identification System or “PhilSys” refers to a single national identification system established by the government
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A Philippine Identification (PhilID) card is a non-transferable card issued to a citizen or resident alien registered under the PhilSys
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The registration centers shall require the presentation of the applicant’s birth certificate as a basic documentary requirement for registration with PhilSys
Personal information refers to any information from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information, or when put together with other information would directly and certainly identify an individual. In line with this, the government established the “Philippine Identification System” or the “PhilSys”.
What is Philippine Identification System?
The law says:
The Philippine Identification System is a single national identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the country to promote seamless delivery of service, to improve the efficiency, transparency, and targeted delivery of public and social services, to enhance administrative governance, to reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape to avert fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations to strengthen financial inclusion, and to promote ease of doing business.
The Philippine Identification System has three (3) components which are the following:
- PhilSys Number (PSN)
- The PSN is a randomly generated, unique, and permanent identification number that will be assigned to every citizen or resident alien upon birth or registration by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSN, in print, electronic or any other form, subject to authentication, shall be accepted as sufficient proof of identity.
- The PhilSys Registry
- The PSA, as repository and custodian of all data shall create and maintain a PhilSys Registry that will contain the PSN, registered records, and information of all persons registered in the PhilSys. The information is on the PhilSys Registry shall be classified in a manner that allows safeguards for data privacy and security, access controls, and change management.
- The Philippine Identification Card (PhilID)
- It is a non-transferable card issued to all citizens or resident aliens registered under the PhilSys and is subject to the guidelines issued by the PSA:
a. Features
- The PhilID shall be the physical medium issued to convey essential information about the person’s identity containing on its face the PSN, full name, sex, blood type, marital status, (optional), place of birth, a front facing photograph, date of birth, and address of the individual in whose favor it was issued. All information appearing in the PhilID should match with the registered information in the PhilSys. The PhilID shall contain QR Code which contains some fingerprint information and other security features as safeguards for data privacy and security, and prevention against the proliferation of fraudulent or falsified identification cards. The PSA in consideration of advances in technology, utility, security and confidentiality may, subject to appropriate guidelines that shall be issued on the matter, provide citizens or resident aliens with mobile PhilID.
b. Purpose
- The PhilID shall serve as the official government-issued identification document of cardholders in dealing with all national government agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), GOCCs, Government Financial Institution (GFIs), and all private sector entities.
c. Fees
- The initial application and issuance as well as the renewal of the PhilID for citizens shall be free of charge. However, a standard fee shall be collected by the issuing agency from resident aliens and on the reissuance of a replacement card.
Pease note that registration centers require the presentation of the applicant’s birth certificate as a basic documentary requirement for identification of citizens seeking to register with the PhilSys. For resident aliens, proof of his or her residence in the Philippines shall be required. However, alternative or additional documents may be allowed to ensure easier verification of the identities of the applicants.
Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices specializes in business law and labor law consulting. For inquiries, you may reach us at info@alburolaw.com, or dial us at (02)7745-4391/0917-5772207.
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