The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted an information drive and offered National ID services to residents of island communities in Capiz and Guimaras.

PSA Officer-in-Charge, Assistant National Statistician Atty. Henedine P. Palabras delivers a message to residents of Barangay Ameligan in Pontevedra, Capiz during the National ID Information Drive in the area. 

The information drive—the first of many to be conducted—was mounted to encourage more Filipinos to register and to share its advantages, and to advocate the use and acceptance of the National ID, including the Digital National ID. The PSA tapped local government units through its field offices for the information drive, which also featured National ID services such as registration and assistance in downloading the Digital National ID.

"The National ID information drive is one of our initiatives to encourage registered persons to utilize their National ID and reap its benefits fully. As more Filipinos receive or download their National IDs, we envision that it will be the top-of-mind valid proof of identity among Filipinos,” said PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General.

PSO Capiz travels via boat along the Panay River to reach Barangay Ameligan in Pontevedra, Capiz.

Among the areas visited for the information drive was Barangay Ameligan, an island barangay in Pontevedra, Capiz. As the location is only accessible via Panay River, the visit involved transportation of both Provincial Statistical Office (PSO) personnel and heavy registration kits through a boat ride.

At the barangay’s multipurpose covered court, residents of the island barangay gathered for the information drive, where the PSA discussed the various formats of the National ID and transactions where it can be presented as a valid proof of identity such as claiming remittances, opening a bank account, applying for or claiming social protection program benefits, and availing government services, among many others. 

PSO Capiz registers a child during the information drive conducted in Barangay Ameligan in Pontevedra, Capiz.

Through the information drive, a total of 91 individuals from Barangay Ameligan were successfully registered to the National ID system.

Among the residents registered, a total of 33 were children ages 1 to 4 who were also treated to fun games and prizes as part of the Rehistro Bulilit campaign, which is part of the efforts of the PSA to encourage parents or guardians to register their children aged 0-4 years old to the National ID.  

Jeannette De Jaime, a resident of Barangay Ameligan, was able to register her child to the National ID through the information drive. She thanked the PSA for the chance to help her daughter to be future-ready.

Jeannette De Jaime registers her daughter to the National ID during the 2024 National ID Information Drive and Rehistro Bulilit activity in Barangay Ameligan in Pontevedra, Capiz. 

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa National ID dahil nakapagparehistro po ang aking anak [para magkaroon siya ng ID] na magagamit for future purposes. Ang National ID ay maraming benepisyo lalo na sa aming mga residente dahil mas madali ang mga transaksyon,” De Jaime said.

Naoway Island, an island community in Sibunag, Guimaras, was also visited for the information drive and Rehistro Bulilit campaign. The island is half an hour away by car from the city center and requires another half an hour of boat ride through the waters of the Guimaras Strait. 

PSO Guimaras loads registration kits onto a boat to visit Naoway Island in Barangay San Isidro, Sibunag.

A total of 38 residents were registered—of whom, 27 were kids 1 to 4 years old—through the half-day activity.

Jeramie Edulay was among the parents who registered their child to the National ID during the activity in the island. 

Jeramie Edulay, a resident of Naoway Island in Sibunag, Guimaras, registers her child to the National ID during the 2024 National ID Information Drive and Rehistro Bulilit activity in the island. 

As boat transportation to and from the island is only available once a week, she seized the opportunity to avail National ID registration so that her daughter can have a valid ID.  

“Kapag sa ganitong edad pa na mga bata, wala pa kasing ID,” she explained. “Kung may National ID na sila, pwede na nilang gamitin [ito] bilang [valid] ID. [Gagamitin ito] sa pag-aaral niya.”

Apart from island communities, the information drive was also brought to residents of Barangay Rizal in Jordan, Guimaras through the Grand Barangay Serbisyo Caravan.

A total of 92 residents were registered during the caravan—of whom, 50 were kids ages 1 to 4. Assistance in downloading the Digital National ID was also extended to 12 attendees.

The PSA is set to conduct the National ID information drive in more locations across the country. 

Quick Links:

• Website: https://philsys.gov.ph
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial 
• Digital National ID: https://national-id.gov.ph/
• National ID eVerify: https://everify.gov.ph/
• National ID Check: https://everify.gov.ph/check 

-    PhilSys Registry Office