Philippines House Oversight Tender

The Philippine ID system streamlined for ease of public and private services and of doing business was presented Tuesday in a House oversight committee hearing led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Dumaguete City.The national ID provides demographic data and biometrics information of front facing photograph fingerprint iris scan and other identifiable features of an individual.On the other hand information about the marital status mobile number and email address are optional.All citizens and resident aliens who are at least five years old are encouraged to get a national ID for free which will serve as a single ID system when transacting business in the country although this is not mandatory according to the presentation.To date as to the authorities the Philippine Statistics Authority PSA as the implementing agency is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology DICT for the details of the technical production of the ID cards.It is said that People with Disabilities PWDs indigents and government workers in key areas all over the country will be prioritized.However to ensure widest coverage PSA will initiate mobile registrations to cater to citizens and residents in remote areas soon. During the public hearing among the usual concerns raised by the participants were on what the requirements would be when they register apprehensions over security and questions on data privacy.The PSA said registration for ID cards will start in September this year and intends to initially register six million for the national ID system.Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo expressed his support to the national ID system that should preferably be valid for the next ten years similar to passports.Mayors Vice-Mayors Councilors and SK Chairpersons including businessmen and representatives of Non-Government Organizations attended the hearing to be clarified of the features and provisions of the new law with the objective of improving government efficiency and ease of doing business.