The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) plans to add a signature field in National ID cards to address limitations that have hindered their widespread acceptance as a primary form of identification.
This decision follows the termination of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) contract with its third-party supplier, AllCard Inc. As the PSA transitions to new card providers, the agency said it will take this opportunity to incorporate a signature field into future cards.
The absence of a signature field has sparked debate since the launch of the National ID system.
Critics argue that the omission makes the card less desirable compared to passports and driver's licenses, particularly for transactions that require a physical signature, such as bank transactions.
Mapa said that the Philippine Identification System Act of 2018 does not mandate a signature, noting that the National ID is equipped with advanced biometric authentication features, including fingerprints and facial recognition.
However, Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Finance Committee responsible for reviewing the 2025 budget of the National Economic and Development Authority and its attached agencies, called the omission of a signature field on the National ID an oversight.
Poe specifically raised concerns about the practicality of using the National ID for bank transactions, which often require signatures.
With the PSA's new plan, Mapa said that Filipinos who currently have a card without a signature will have the option to update it, possibly for a fee.
Poe, however, opposed any such fee, suggesting that a minimal charge could be appropriate for straightforward updates, such as changes to personal information like a physical address.
“But when it comes to improving, something that is obviously because we didn’t have the foresight to think about it, I think that should be the government’s cost,” she asserted.
According to the PSA, out of 90 million registered individuals, 86 million have been verified as unique through biometric authentication, with four million still being processed.
Furthermore, 53.5 million physical cards, 46 million e-Phil IDs in paper form, and 18 million digital cards have already been issued, ensuring that all 85 million cleared registrants receive their ID in one of these formats. (Derco Rosal)