ILOILO City — With nearly nine out of 10 residents already enrolled, Iloilo is fast approaching full coverage under the national ID system, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to reach out to the remaining unregistered population estimated at around 260,000.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that as of February 28, 2026 a total of 2,292,751 individuals across Iloilo City and Province have been registered, based on the 2024 Census of Population — placing the province among areas with the highest compliance rates in the country.
This milestone shifts the government’s focus from mass registration to targeted inclusion, particularly among vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, young children, and beneficiaries of social protection programs who have yet to be enrolled.
Jerry Dolutan, PSA supervising statistical specialist for Iloilo, emphasized that the strong turnout reflects public trust in the system but acknowledged that efforts must now zero in on harder-to-reach groups.
He noted that around 30,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), including senior citizens under the Walang Gutom Program, remain without national IDs based on Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) data.
To address this gap, the PSA has intensified collaboration with the DSWD, integrating registration activities during financial aid distributions to ensure wider coverage among beneficiaries.
In the first quarter alone, the PSA successfully registered 2,620 senior citizens and 1,574 children aged zero to four, signaling continued progress in expanding inclusion among priority sectors.
Recognizing mobility challenges, the agency has also deployed mobile registration units in coordination with local government units (LGUs), targeting bedridden individuals and residents in remote areas.
“We have organized deployment teams that are actively stationed in each congressional district. Their schedules are carefully coordinated with the help of our LGUs to maximize our reach,” Dolutan explained.
Meanwhile, the PSA reported significant progress in ID issuance, with over 1.7 million cards already delivered across Iloilo, including 863,183 in paper format and 17,574 electronic IDs printed as of the first quarter.
Dolutan also underscored the importance of the digital ID system accessible through the eGovPH application, encouraging registered individuals aged 12 and above to utilize the platform.
“Ensuring the accuracy of the information during the national ID registration process is crucial. The details provided must match those used when individuals download the application,” he noted.
With Iloilo nearing full registration, authorities are banking on sustained coordination among the PSA, LGUs, and DSWD to close the remaining gap and ensure that every resident gains access to essential government services tied to the national ID system./PN
