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| Philippine National Identification Card System |
Ako Bicol Party-List Reps. Rodel M. Batocabe and Christopher S. Co authored House Bill 523 to institutionalize a national identification card that will replace the current practice of requiring at least two valid government issued IDs when transacting business with different agencies in the country.
“The current program of a Unified Multi-purpose ID card (UMID) for members of GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig, pursuant to Executive Order 420 of April 13, 2005 serves as an excellent case study in favor of extending the National ID card to all Filipinos and alien permanent residents,” Batocabe said.
“Once enacted into law, all citizens, not only government employees and SSS members but the self-employed, the unemployed, minors, and Filipinos working abroad will be under the coverage of the National ID system,” Batocabe added.
The measure also known as the “Filipino Identification System Act,” shall provide official identification of all citizens of the Republic of the Philippines and gradually concert and consolidate all existing government-initiated identification systems into one integrated and efficient identification system.
Under the measure, every Filipino, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, is mandated to register personal information required by the ID system, and upon application shall be issued a non-transferrable Filipino ID card with an ID number that shall be valid for life.
The ID card may be replaced only when a child reaches the legal age of 18 years old; when there is change in name and family name by virtue of court order or by application of law, such as a married woman adopting the surname of the husband, for lost or destroyed, for other revisions that may deemed necessary by the cardholder such as changes in the facial features due to age or medical intervention.
