BAGUIO CITY — Young people here are happy about the passage of the landmark law on national identification system, as this would make transacting business with government and private offices more convenient.
However, they are also seeking assurance of data security under the new system.
The Philippine System Identification Act (PhilSys Act) or the National ID System (NIS) synchronizes all identity information of Filipinos and resident foreigners.
“For our part, specifically in Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Baguio, we accept the National ID System, since it will give efficient and convenient services,” Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Levy Lloyd Orcales told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.
Young Filipinos, mostly the millennials, have had their share of difficulty in transacting with various offices, particularly in coming up with more than one identification card.
This is often the reason why a number of Filipinos are unable to open a bank account, which requires the submission of two valid government identification cards.
Orcales, however, raised the issue on privacy, asking government agencies concerned in the production of the national IDs to give assurance that their confidential details will not be leaked.
“We hope the personal information will be secured, will not be used in any illegal activities or fraudulent activities,” Orcales said.
Nestor Castañeda, a business process outsourcing employee, beamed: “Ay, gusto ko yung national ID, hindi na ang dami-daming dinadalang ID at makakapagbukas na ng account ang mga taga probinsyang tulad ko, masaya yan (Oh, I like the national ID we don’t need to carry so many IDs and we can already open a bank account, especially for us who are from the provinces).”
According to an earlier government briefing in the city, the national ID would contain a unique Common Reference Number and personal information like full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, and the recent photo of the person.
The NIS is a consolidation of existing government-initiated IDs into one integrated system that can be used to verify the identities of individuals in availing of public services or using public transportation.
On Tuesday, the Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera relayed that President Rodrigo Duterte had signed the NIS into law.
“This will not only enhance administrative governance, reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, and promote the ease of doing business, but also avert fraudulent transactions, strengthen financial inclusion, and create a more secure environment for our people,” it said. (Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA)
