The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) bared it has issued close to 12 million digital version of the national ID called ePhilID.
Fred Sollesta, chief of the Philippine Identification System registry office, said the PSA eyes the launch of the downloadable version of the national ID by the end of the year.
“We have already pregenerated 21.75 million ePhilIDS. So far, we have distributed or issued close to 12 million, actually 11.9, and we are poised to achieve 13 million ePhilID issuance by the end of the year,” he told the ANC broadcast network.
“Hopefully, we can launch the downloadable version by the end of the year and doing full blast for the downloadable version starting January next year,” he added.
The ePhilID is a part of the PSA’s proactive strategy to allow the immediate use of PhilSys as a valid proof of identity and age, subject to authentication.
The digital ID or ePhilID is designed to have the same functionality and validity as the actual card, accepted by government agencies and private establishments in transactions requiring proof of identity or age.
On reports of defective ePhilIDs, Sollesta said the PSA is trying to determine if the problem stems from batch printing.
“Our communication team is doing the coordination especially with our field offices if there were cards surrendered with defects,” Sollesta said.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier ordered the PSA to fast track the printing of ePhilIDs.
The ePhilIDs serve as a temporary national ID pending the issuance of the actual card.