The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) aims to issue a total of 50 million Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards by end of 2022 following directives issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.

"The national ID will play an important part in this digital transformation. For citizens to be able to seamlessly transact with government, their identity must be verifiable," President Marcos said.

PSA foresees delivery of 30 million physical cards and 20 million digital PhilIDs, which will be available in various formats—printed, downloadable, and mobile.

The digital PhilID is part of the proactive strategy of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), true to its purpose as a digital ID system. It will allow registrants to have their digital PhilID printed, downloaded, or generated in the mobile app for their use while waiting for their physical IDs.

Low-income individuals prioritized for the printable version

Social protection program beneficiaries shall be prioritized for the printable format of the digital PhilID to provide them immediate and improved access to more financial and social services.

“Low-income individuals have always been our priority. The PSA will still continue to prioritize these individuals as we roll out the printable version of the digital ID,” said PSA Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General. “This will immediately allow better access to more financial and social protection services through the provision of a free valid proof of identity while waiting for their physical ID.”

Functionality, validity, and security

The digital PhilID will have the same functionality and validity as the physical ID. It will allow registrants to enjoy the benefits of the PhilID as the PSA fast-tracks the printing and delivery of physical cards.

PSA notes that the digital ID, particularly its printable format, contains a security feature that it shares with the physical ID. It has a unique digital signature through its QR code that can be used for authentication.

Using the PhilSys Check, a website which verifies the authenticity of a PhilID through the QR code, the printable format can be scanned to show a registrant's demographic data for counterchecking against the ID presented.

"Regardless of the format, this is your PhilID with the same functionality and validity," said Fred Sollesta, Officer-in-Charge, Deputy National Statistician (OIC-DNS) of the PhilSys Registry Office.

The PSA assures that all PhilSys registrants will receive their physical PhilIDs in line with the introduction of its various formats. “Each registrant has an allocation for the physical ID,” OIC-DNS Sollesta said. “The PSA is continuously working on the printing and delivery of PhilID cards to close the gap between the number of registered individuals and cards delivered."

Digital ID rollout

The PSA intends to pilot test the printable version of the digital ID this semester and roll out by October, while the mobile version will be available by the end of the year.

For the latest on PhilSys, visit the official PhilSys website (www.psa.gov.ph/philsys) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial/). You may also reach the PhilSys Registry Office via hotline number 1388 or e-mail at info@philsys.gov.ph. For the online Step 1 registration, kindly go to register.philsys.gov.ph.

- PhilSys Registry Office