The House of Representatives on Wednesday night ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed law establishing a single, unified and streamlined national identification system.
The measure, once enacted, would establish the Philippine Identification System aimed at ensuring the safety and security of Filipinos from threats of terrorism and lawless elements.
The proposed measure will integrate multiple government IDs by establishing a single national identification system to be known as the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys.
The ID includes the individual’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, address, and nationality, as well as biometric information, said Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate public order committee.
“This is a welcome development to boost the country’s security. We expect the President to sign this into law,” said opposition and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said he expects “that the ratification of the bill would help law enforcement agencies arrest lawbreakers and those behind illegal activities, including banned substances.”
Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu and Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles were optimistic the Philippine Statistics Authority will be able to efficiently implement the national identification card system once President Rodrigo Duterte signs the bill into law.
“This is very important in our fight against terrorism and other lawless elements. We expect the PSA to immediately implement this after the measure becomes a law,” said Abu.
“This will help interconnect the countless and redundant government IDs.
Nograles said the PSA could already start the process by tapping the P2-billion national ID system budget that had been earmarked under the current P3.767-trillion national budget.
He said there were funds for the measure as early as June 2017, when deliberations on the 2018 national budget were yet to start.