ILOILO City – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is encouraging the public to secure digital national identification cards (IDs) while waiting for their physical Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) cards.
According to PSA Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) officer-in-charge Nelida Amolar, both the digital and physical national IDs have the same validity and are recognized by government and private institutions for various transactions.
The digital version was actually launched on June 10, 2024 yet in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). It can be accessed through https://national-id.gov.ph.
Amolar said this initiative allows individuals to access the digital version of their national IDs using mobile phones or computers with internet connectivity.
“The digital national ID, like its physical counterpart, serves as valid and accurate proof of identity for various transactions in government and private offices,” Amolar added.
She also cited the convenience of having a digital ID, which can be displayed on a mobile phone, especially if the physical card is forgotten.
Statistics reveal that of Western Visayas’ 7.95 million population recorded in the 2020 Census, 6.73 million or 84.6 percent are registered in the PhilSys. Out of these, 4,352,146 individuals have received their physical national IDs or PVC cards, and 2,557,637 have been issued ePhilIDs.
Amolar appealed for understanding, particularly from those yet to receive their physical IDs, as their Central Office is exploring measures to expedite production and distribution.
She disclosed that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has stopped printing the national IDs, prompting PSA to seek a new company for their production.
Amolar also encourage the public, especially parents with children aged one to four years who have not yet registered in PhilSys, to do so.
PSA has expanded registration through mobile efforts, bringing services directly to communities, conducting house-to-house registration, and partnering with government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during Family Development Sessions.
Through collaboration with DSWD Region 6, PSA-6 has registered 69,000 individuals./PN
