Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)

SANTA ROSA CITY, Laguna--Imagine the benefits Filipinos would have received, had the National ID program's implementation not been botched. 

During a press conference here Saturday, March 22, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson lamented over the program, which he described as key to the effective delivery of social services especially to poor Filipinos. 

The former senator who sponsored and co-authored the National ID Law, said the National ID would have provided social welfare authorities with the database to determine which families need assistance from the government. 

"Imagine if we had an efficient National ID system, we would not be left guessing on who to give assistance to, because we know who will need government aid," he said in Filipino at the press conference. 

Lacson noted that when he headed the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 1999 to 2001, he had advocated such a system mainly to aid in crimefighting. But as a civilian, he realizes its potential as a foundation for social services. 

Lacson said that while the National ID law was good and with an initial budget of P25 billion, its implementation is flawed. He cited information reaching him that some parties interfered in the bidding process. 

As a result, he said many who applied for the National ID for two years or more are still waiting for their cards. He said lawmakers must revisit the implementation of the National ID law as part of their oversight functions. 

"We must revisit this as part of oversight functions, and review how its funds were spent," Lacson said.