DIGITAL NATIONAL ID WAS LAUNCHED WITH THE BACKLOG OF PHYSICAL CARDS

30 million Filipinos still do not receive a physical National ID card since the program started in 2021. To solve the backlog, the digital version of the National ID was launched in partnership of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

In resolution with the backlog in physical cards, government launches digital national ID (Photo courtesy of Rappler)

In the last record of the PSA, 87 million have registered with the National ID since 2019. More than 51 million have already received a physical ID while 32 million still do not have it. PSA explained that the reason for the backlog is still a printing problem.

"There is a limit on printing because there are steps also from the time the data is received, and the printing. So, the maximum number of cards that can be printed on a given day are 80,000 cards and depending on conditions sometimes it is low," PSA National Statistician USec. Claire Dennis Map stated.

While there is no physical ID card yet, PSA is promoting the use of a digital version of the National ID first. Apply for ePhilID, it's paperless and people don't need to go to the registration center to get it. Anyone registered to the national ID, the digital copy of the ID can be downloaded from the official National ID website.

“With these developments, every registered Filipino now has improved access to a reliable and secure proof of identity that can be easily authenticated on their devices. This will facilitate the faster distribution and wider utilization of the National ID, with relying parties finding it easier to onboard to the National ID system,” Mapa added.

The purpose of the National ID is to have proof of identity that can be used in transactions such as opening a bank account or obtaining aid and some other services. 

The PSA will issue a notice to urge banks and businesses to accept the digital National ID. They also launched National ID check, and National ID eVerify system for cards verification. That is to say, even if the QR code cannot be read or the system is broken, the ID holder can still be verified through personal details.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) assures that the information of Filipinos is safe even the ID is digital.

Source: Presidential Communications Office

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