By Mario Casayuran
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday, April 23, expressed hopes that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) could fast-track the implementation of the National ID system as directed by President Duterte.
‘’The National ID system was signed into law nearly two years ago. There is no other time than now when it is most needed,’’ Lacson said.
Critics pointed out that data through the National ID system could have contributed to the accurate listing of beneficiaries of government financial assistance during the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
Lacson was the principal sponsor of the National ID system statute.
He said the NEDA should have ample help from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as the frontline agency, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which plays a major role.
President Duterte recently appointed former finance undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua as the acting socio-economic planning secretary and NEDA director-general vice-chairman.
‘’The first question is, is the system ready to accept registrants? If so, they should give priority to the marginalized sector, and those targeted for financial assistance because of the COVID-19 crisis,’’ Lacson said.