ILOILO City – Government and private offices should honor the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Identification Card (PhilID or national ID) that clients present to them, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
On Feb. 14, President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 162 on this took effect, according to Nelida Amolar, officer-in-charge of PSA Region 6.
The EO institutionalizes “the acceptance of the Philippine Identification or Philippine Identification System Number as sufficient proof of identity and age in all government and private transactions.”
Amolar, however, clarified that people may still continue presenting other valid IDs, especially those who have not yet received their national IDs.
“Pero once nag-submit ang isa ka client sang ila national ID, no way nga indi mo sia pagbatunon,” said Amolar.
Those refusing to honor the national ID face sanctions under Section 19 of Republic Act No. 11055 or Philippine Identification System Act: “Any person or entity who, without just and sufficient cause, shall refuse to accept, acknowledge and/or recognize the PhilID or PSN, subject to authentication, as the only official identification of the holder/possessor thereof shall be fined in the amount of P500,000.”
EO No. 162 read: “The PhilSys shall be the government’s central identification platform for all citizens and resident aliens of the country. In line with the policy under RA No. 11055, an individual’s record in the PhilSys shall be considered as sufficient proof of identity and age in all public and private transactions.”
It further stated: “The PhilID shall serve as the official government-issued identification document and official proof of identity of cardholders in dealing with all NGAs (national government agencies), instrumentalities, departments, bureau, offices, LGUs (local government units), GOCCs (government-owned and controlled corporations), GFIs (government financial institutions), state universities and colleges, and other chartered institutions and private sector entities.”
In this regard, the PhilID, PSN or PSN Derivative may be presented in lieu of a birth certificate for transaction that require individuals to establish their age, including but not limited to:
* application for marriage license
* application for student drivers permit or conductor license with the Land Transportation Office
* enrollment of students in public and private schools or registration for Philippine Educational Placement Test
* applications with Professional Regulation Commissions
* application related to voter’s registration with the Commission on Elections
Accordingly, no additional proof of identity or age shall be require upon presentation of the PhilID, PSN, or PSN derivative, as authenticated.
In addition, banks and other financial institutions shall comply with relevant assurances of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other government regulatory, and communicate to the public such policies and guidelines on the use of the PhilID, PSN or PSN Derivative./PN
