What is it for?

Last August 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11055 or the “Philippine Identification System Act.”

It requires every Filipino to have their own Philippine Identification System ID (PhilSys) or Philippine Identification Card (PhilID). As a foundational digital ID system, PhilSys is envisioned to help the Philippines transition to digital transactions and processes slowly.

Right now, its primary goal is to help low-income families open bank accounts for smoother government transactions and benefits (like financial ayuda distribution). Earlier this year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that they’ve gathered demographic data of nine million individuals with at least five million low-income household heads.

Meanwhile, PhilID, the physical counterpart, will have all your info, such as proof of identity and residence.

 

How do I register online?

The online system for registration was launched on April 30, 2021. You can access it on the PhilSys website. However, the online collection of demographic information and appointment-setting is just the first step.

Here’s a quick overview of the three-step process PSA issued for national IDs:

Step 1: Register your information, including full name, gender, date, and place of birth, blood type, and address.

Step 2: Attend your appointment for biometrics capture that includes fingerprint, iris scan, and front-facing photograph.

Step 3: Physical ID cards will be issued. It’s stored with a 12-digit PhilSys number or personal serial number (PSN) and a 16-digit PhilSys card number (PCN).

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Where are the physical registration centers?

According to the PSA website, the government will have fixed and mobile registration centers nationwide. They are coordinating with local government units (LGUs), other agencies, and the private sector to determine strategic locations. These locations are yet to be announced on their website and social media pages.

 

What are the requirements?

Below is a list of requirements you need to submit. You should be presenting an original copy of at least one of the following:

Primary Documents:

• PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth AND one (1) government-issued identification document which bears full name, front-facing photograph, and signature or thumb mark.
• DFA-issued Philippine Passport or ePassport;
• GSIS or SSS-issued Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card (UMID);
• Land Transportation Office (LTO)-issued Student’s License Permit or Non-Professional/Professional Driver’s License

Secondary Documents:

• PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/NSO-issued Certificate of Live Birth with Birth Reference Number (BreN)
• LCRO-issued Certificate of Live Birth
• PSA-issued Report of Birth
• PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Identification Card
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• SSS ID
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
• License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance/ID
• Solo Parent’s ID
• PWD ID
• Voter’s ID
• Postal ID
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
• Philhealth ID
• Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-issued Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
• National ID from other countries
• Residence ID from other countries

Don’t have those? You can submit these for secondary supporting documents as long as it has your picture, signature/thumbmark, full name, address, and date of birth:

• Employee ID
• School ID
• Barangay Clearance/Certificate
• Barangay ID
• City/Municipal ID

 

How much will does it cost to get a PhilID?

The PhilSys registration is free for all Filipinos. In December 2020, the government approved an additional P3.52 billion to help some 20 million Filipinos register for the national ID in 2021. PSA will only charge you if you damage or lose your ID.

 

When can the remaining population register?

Since the government is prioritizing low-income households, the rest of the population will have to wait until the end of 2021 to register. PSA’s target is that by the end of 2022, the majority of Filipinos have their national IDs.

 

How long will your ID be valid for?

For Filipinos, this ID has no expiration. PSA says that PhilIDs for resident aliens are only valid for one year, and they will have to renew theirs after.

PSA also reminds everyone that the PhilSys ID is not a substitute or a replacement for existing functional IDs like passports and driver’s licenses. It’s simply there to serve as a valid proof of identity and “for easier accessibility and application for eligibility to social welfare programs and benefits from the government.”

 

Am I required to get a national ID?

No, Filipinos are not required to get their PhilSys ID, but you are strongly encouraged to get one. Otherwise, you might have difficulty getting benefits from the government, especially now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic.

You can check out PSA’s official website or follow the official PSA Philippine Identification System Facebook page for more information.

 

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