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BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – Will a “unified identification system” work? Some Ilonggos doubt it.
Former president and now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga, 2nd District) proposed the Filipino Identification System.
Under House Bill No. 696, Filipinos shall be issued a “Filipino Identification Card,” which may be used for public and private transactions.
Aside from helping “simplify processes,” a unified identification system will “enhance the integrity and reliability of government-issued identification cards in private transactions and prevent violations of laws, including false names and identifications,” said Arroyo.
While it can help make personal transactions easier, the measure must be studied carefully as a “universal ID” would require personal information, a 21-year-old Ilongga student told Panay News.
“I think it’s good, but I’m not sure it’s safe,” Beverly Mae Eslita said.
Under Arroyo’s bill, the Filipino Identification Card shall be “tamper-proof” and must have on its face the “imprinted photograph, name, birth date, gender, date of issue, signature of owner, [and] corresponding individual serial number issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.”
It may be used in all transactions with government, application for passport and driver’s license, and filling applications for benefits offered by Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and Home Development Mutual Fund.
It may also be used in applying clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation, courts and police, and for voting identification purposes and proof of identity, among others.
Just like Eslita, a correspondent for a government-owned media organization expressed concern on her privacy.
“Would it not invade our privacy? Basi bala pati contact numbers ta sina pahilabtan nila,” Leah Marlie Tambanillo told Panay News.
If the measure is passed into law, Filipinos may claim their Filipino Identification Cards at their local civil registry office.
Meanwhile a 21-year-old youth organization leader was optimistic about the proposal.
“In favor ako kay indi na hassle magdala and present sang damò nga IDs sa different government agencies,” Alyssa Ilano said. “[More] organized man kay all-in-one na sia.”/PN
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