Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go made the digitization of the national ID system as his top priority.
He noted the slow distribution of physical IDs, with only half the population receiving them.
“This is why I have identified the digital national ID as a foundational project. A digital ID will simplify transactions across public and private sectors,” he told builders and developers during the induction of the new set of Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, Inc. (CREBA) officers on Friday, March 22, 2024.
A national digital ID will also enhance engagement with clients, improve government service delivery and strengthen financial inclusion, ultimately promoting a more business-friendly environment.
Go announced collaboration between his office, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on a digital national ID platform.
The collaboration aims to develop concrete use cases for the digital ID by the end of the year, he said.
Go also spearheads other programs focused on improving the business environment.
A key initiative is the CREATE MORE Act, which addresses concerns raised by foreign investors, particularly exporters, regarding the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law.
The House of Representatives recently passed their version of the CREATE MORE Act, and the Senate leadership has assured swift action on the bill.
The positive development could elevate the act to a higher legislative priority.
“We are working through Congress and the Senate to resolve issues stemming from the TRAIN and CREATE Laws that affect foreign direct investors,” Go said, noting the importance of the CREATE MORE Act.
“The recent progress on the CREATE MORE Act alongside the focus on a digital national ID system demonstrates the government’s multi-pronged approach to streamlining business processes and promoting economic growth,” he said.