Since its implementation in 2020, the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) continues to attain project milestones towards registering 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reports that as of 02 July 2021, a total of 37,180,710 Filipinos have completed Step 1 Registration or the collection of demographic information, and appointment scheduling for Step 2 Registration.

The Step 1 Registration initially started through a house-to-house data collection among low-income families in October 2020. It was in April this year when PSA launched its online Step 1 Registration (https://register.philsys.gov.ph) for a more convenient and safe process for registrants. As of 01 July 2021, 415 registration sites are open for online appointment booking. PSA aims to open more in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Step 2 Registration or the validation of supporting documents and collection of biometric information such as fingerprints, iris scans, and a front-facing photograph at registration centers recorded 16,166,500 registrants from different registration centers across provinces nationwide as of 02 July 2021.

Starting on a small-scale, gradual basis in January 2021, Step 2 Registration is now in full swing in almost all provinces nationwide. Aside from those in PSA Field Offices, most registration center locations are identified and established with the help of local government units. Mall-based registration centers have also commenced operations in the second quarter this year. PSA aims to open more registration centers nationwide this July while maintaining strict compliance to health and safety protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), Department of Health (DOH), and local health units. As of 02 July 2021, 965 registration centers in 78 provinces are operational for Step 2 Registration.

As part of its financial inclusion goal, PhilSys also partnered with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) for co-location at 877 registration centers to allow registrants to voluntarily open a bank account after their Step 2 Registration. The aim is to ensure that at least one family member has a bank account for easier, safer, and contactless transactions including the distribution of financial assistance as part of the government’s response to COVID-19. PSA reported that 4,377,149 PhilSys registrants applied for a transactional account with (LBP).

Finally, in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), 343,742 Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards have been successfully delivered to registrants via door-to-door. In total, 1,022,563 cards have been released to PHLPost, which were produced and personalized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and PSA, respectively.

PSA recently presented the security features of the PhilID design and reiterated that government agencies and private businesses must acknowledge the PhilID as a valid proof of identity in accordance with Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11055 or the PhilSys Act.

Through the PhilID, PhilSys aims to provide a valid proof of identification that will ease the public’s access to financial services, social protection, health, education, and other government services, and make public and private transactions safer, more seamless, and more efficient for all Filipinos.

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. PSA invites everyone to visit https://register.philsys.gov.ph for the online Step 1 Registration.

- PhilSys Registry Office