By Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine government officially launched the new digital National Senior Citizen ID (NCSID), integrated into the platform eGovPH app, that is expected to benefit some 1.2 million elderly in the country.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), led the launch at The Manila Hotel on Friday.
“Today, this is a realization and a reality of what we really wish for our senior citizens. We are talking about the launching of a senior citizen ID,” NCSC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Mary Jean Loreche said in her opening speech.
“To have that digitalized senior citizen ID is actually more than just an ID. It is actually a symbol where all senior citizens are not left behind. Itong ID na ito ay nagpapatunay na madali at maagap lang pala ang pag-access for our services ng gobyerno upang maramdaman po ninyong lahat na kayo po ay mahal ng ating pamahalaan,” she added.
Seamless integration
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the NSCID will be integrated into the eGovPH super app, the government’s central digital platform that offers a wide array of services—accessible anytime, anywhere.
He said that to date, about 8.4 million Filipinos have registered for the national ID. Of this number, about 1.2 million are elderly.
For senior citizens who are already registered with the national ID system (PhilSys), the digital version of the senior citizen ID will appear automatically upon reaching age 60, eliminating redundant paperwork and the need to physically visit multiple offices, he said.
Challenges
Loreche said to address challenges on internet connectivity and technical knowledge, especially among the elderly, the NCSC will come up with a nationwide information campaign and digital literacy training.
She added that information officers will be deployed in various local government units to assist those who want to download the app and access it
“Ang una po natin gagawin ay ang National Commission of Senior Citizens together with the DICT, we will be conducting trainings. At saka magkakaroon tayo, kasama ng ating mga private sector at sa academies, magkakaroon tayo ng mga areas where we can actually help them, you know, register themselves via our help,” Loreche said.
Meanwhile, in terms of internet connectivity, Aguda assured the public that the DICT is working on the issue.
“Maganda ‘yong app, di ba? Pero ang tanong nga, paano naman sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Kaya naman po sa DICT, utos din ng Presidente (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), pag nag-automate tayo, dapat umabot siya hanggang Batanes, hanggang Tawi-Tawi. So nagro-roll out na po kami ng mga connectivity, so ‘yong free wifi, ilan na ‘yong nalatag namin,” Aguda said.
“So bigyan nyo kami na hanggang end of next year, walang sulok ng Pilipinas na hindi ka makakagamit ng cellphone at hindi ka makakagamit ng app.”
The NCSC said that by integrating the NSCID into the eGovPH app, the government reinforces its commitment to building a more accessible, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation, where no citizen, regardless of age, is left behind.
