23 February 2021 – City of San Fernando, La Union. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Office started the gradual rollout of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Step 2 Registration in La Union on February 23, 2021 at the City Library, Marcos Building, City of San Fernando, La Union. 

City Mayor Hermenegildo “Dong” A. Gualberto, together with
Dr. Danites E. Tenido, Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) of PSA-La Union, led the ceremonial ribbon cutting on February 22, 2021 attended by PSA- La Union personnel and representatives from the City Government that marked the opening of the first Local Government Unit (LGU)-based PhilSys Registration Center that rolled out in La Union. 

In the City Mayor’s message, he expressed his support to the PhilSys and mentioned its importance to improve the delivery of social services to the public.  Mayor Gualberto said that the City Government will continue to work with the PSA all throughout the conduct of Step 2 Registration to ensure its smooth implementation.

Meanwhile, Dr. Teñido gave an overview of the PhilSys.  She informed that Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.  She said that the PhilSys is the government’s central identification platform for Filipinos that aims to simplify public and private transactions.    However, she said that the PhilID will not replace the existing functional IDs that serve other purposes.  It is free of charge for the initial issuance for Filipinos.  On data privacy, she mentioned that PSA ensures strict compliance with the PhilSys Act of 2018 and Data Privacy Act of 2012 wherein PhilSys design adopts Privacy by Design principles which means that privacy is incorporated in systems and technologies by default.     The PSA is the sole custodian of all PhilSys data and the platform gives registered persons ultimate control over their personal data.   

Moreover, Dr. Teñido also explained the PhilSys three-step registration process: Step 1 – collection of demographic data and appointment setting; Step 2 – validation of demographic data and capture of biometric information; and Step 3 – issuance of PhilID/PhilSys Number (PSN).

In fourth quarter of 2020, the PSA successfully completed the Step 1 Registration of about 10.5 million Filipinos or house-to-house collection of demographic information from the targeted low-income household heads/adults in 32 provinces nationwide, that includes La Union.  The assisted Step 1 registration will continue to be implemented in first quarter of 2021.  Demographic data like full name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address, Filipino or resident alien, and marital status, mobile number and email address which are optional. 

In Step 2, the applicant will visit the PhilSys registration centers based on their scheduled appointment for the capture of their biometrics that include front-facing photograph, fingerprints and iris scan.  The applicant must bring original copy of one of the following primary documents:  PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth together with one government-issued identification document bearing the full name, front-facing photograph, and signature or thumb mark; Philippine Passport issued by the DFA; Unified Multi-Purpose Identification* (UMID) Card issued by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS); or Valid LTO-issued Student’s License Permit or Non-Professional/Professional Driver’s License.

In case the applicant does not have any of the Primary Documents, any of the following secondary documents shall suffice:  PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth (with BreN Number); LCRO-issued Certificate of Live Birth; PSA-issued Report of Birth; PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling; Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Identification Card; Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID; Seaman’s Book; Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID; Senior Citizen’s ID; SSS ID; Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID; License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID; NBI Clearance; Police Clearance/ID; Solo Parent’s ID; PWD ID; Voter’s ID; Postal ID;  Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID; Philhealth ID; Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) - issued Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV); National ID from other countries; and Residence ID from other countries.  The following identification documents shall also be accepted as secondary supporting documents provided that they have a front-facing photograph, signature/thumbmark, full name, permanent address, and date of birth:  Employee ID; School ID; Barangay Clearance/Certificate; Barangay ID; and City/Municipal ID. If the applicant does not have supporting documents with him, he may still register to PhilSys through a qualified introducer.

In Step 3, a 12-digit PSN will be generated after deduplication/validation process.  Validated data of applicants will be transmitted to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for PhilID card production and personalization.  The PhilID cards will be delivered to successful registrants via courier services. 

With the guidance of the PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council (PSPCC), the PSA partnered with the Landbank of the Philippines to provide opportunity for target registrants to access financial services, such as receiving financial subsidies and benefits from the government through opening of a bank account in parallel to the PhilSys registration.  Under Sections 2 and 3 of RA 11055, the law seeks to promote seamless delivery of service, improve the efficiency, transparency, and targeted delivery of public and social services, strengthen financial inclusion and social protection, and promote ease of doing business. 

Amidst the pandemic, the PSA conducts the PhilSys Step 2 Registration on a gradual, small-scale basis to ensure safety of the PhilSys registrants and registration staff.  PSA will ensure that the PhilSys registration personnel and the Registration Centers comply with the health and safety protocols laid by the government.  Furthermore, the   PSA advises Step 1 registrants to wait for the announcement of their new appointment schedule to manage the number of registrants going to the registration centers.

All Local Government Units (LGUs) and regional Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) offices are enjoined to provide assistance in the implementation of PhilSys registration operations in their respective localities with the issuance of DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-99.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist