Printable National ID is now a reality as PSA pursues 50M ID cards issued by end-2022

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) is officially making digital Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards—commonly known as ‘National ID’—that are printable, downloadable, and can be generated via their mobile app. And its roll out is set on October.

Photo/ Philippine Statistics Authority

PSA aims to issue a total of 50 million physical and digital cards by the end of 2022. This move comes a day after President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., in his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, issued directives about the identification system wanting faster distribution and a target of over 92 million national IDs issued by 2023.

Of the 50 million copies, PSA foresees 30 million physical IDs to be delivered, while the other 20 million is allotted for digital copies.

The agency said that the digital PhilID system is part of their ‘proactive strategy’ allowing registrants to print, download, or generate a digital national ID card that can be already used while awaiting for the physical copy. And these processes only require their upcoming mobile app.

Security and validity

When the news of printable national ID came out recently, people were mainly concerned about its security risk. However, PSA reassures that the digital IDs contain a security feature shared between the digital and the physical copy.

They said that the digital ID has a unique digital signature via a QR code that can be scanned for counterchecking using their ‘PhilSys Check’ website.

PSA Undersecretary, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Dennis Mapa previously said that the printable version of the national ID can only be printed at PSA registration centers. This in turn would prevent unauthorized printing of such printable IDs.

Although, the agency hasn’t mentioned any further details about the materials to be used for the printable PhilID nor its processes.

PSA also noted that the digital PhilID will have the same functionality and validity as its physical counterpart.

Priority: low-income individuals

PSA said that beneficiaries of social protection program are the priority for the printable version of the digital PhilID, providing them immediate and improved access to more financial and social services.

“Low-income individuals have always been our priority. The PSA will still continue to prioritize these individuals as we roll out the printable version of the digital ID,” said Mapa.

“This will immediately allow better access to more financial and social protection services through the provision of a free valid proof of identity while waiting for their physical ID,” Mapa added.

Rollout

Pilot tests for the printable format of the digital ID are set this semester and roll out this October. The mobile format (perhaps the generated copy via mobile app) will be available by the end of the year.

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