PhilSys registration hit over 40 million Filipinos
Over 40 million Filipinos are now registered with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that a total of 40,264,550 Filipinos have completed their Step 2 registrations as of end-October, bringing the agency closer to the goal of registering at least 50 million citizens by the end of the year.
Step 2 registrations involve verifying the registrant’s demographic information and capturing their biometric data, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and front-facing photographs.
“As we are nearing the conclusion of another year, we look forward to attaining our goals in registering the general population to PhilSys,” said PSA Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, who is also the National Statistician and Civil Registrar General.
“Rest assured that the PSA, together with its field offices and partner agencies, are working diligently and in unison despite the pandemic to ensure that more Filipinos can use their PhiIIDs to access various services,” he added.
Despite the milestone, Mapa noted that the PSA continues to encourage citizens to register by citing the benefits of PhilSys as a national identification system.
Through PhilSys, the PSA said the agency aims to provide registrants with easier access to social protection, health, education, and other government services.
Further, the national ID initiative is in line with the goal to achieve greater financial inclusion for all Filipinos.
“With the PhilID, unbanked Filipinos will have proof of identity which is a key requirement in accessing formal financial services, making them less vulnerable to onerous practices such as the 5-6 lending scheme illegally practiced in grassroots communities,” PSA said.
Step 3 Registration, which involves issuance of a unique and private identifying number to registrants or the PhilSys Number (PSN), and delivery of the PhilID is currently ongoing.
As of October this year, more than three million Filipinos have already received their PhilID.
Meantime, the PSA announced the forthcoming launch of the PhilSys mobile ID, the digital version of the PhilID card.
“The launch of the PhilSys mobile ID aims to accelerate the use of PhilSys, by providing a digital alternative to the physical card,” PSA said.
However, the PSA strongly advised registrants to safe keep the letter containing their PhilSys Number (PSN) upon receiving the PhilID.
“The PSN is unique to each registrant and shall always be kept confidential. The public is also reminded to refrain from posting a photo of their PhilID card on social media and other public platforms,” PSA said.