Duterte institutionalizes natl ID as proof of identity, age for govt, private transactions
By Pilar Manuel, CNN Philippines
Published Feb 16, 2022 2:03:37 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — Filipino citizens and resident aliens may now use their national IDs to prove their age and identity in all government and private transactions with President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent executive order.
Executive Order 162, signed by Duterte on Feb. 14 but only released publicly this Wednesday, institutionalizes the acceptance of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID and PhilSys Number (PSN) in such transactions as official proof of identity and age.
“Unless otherwise provided by law, the presentation of the PhilID, PSN or PSN Derivative, as authenticated, shall be sufficient proof of identification and of all other personal details stated therein, without need for presentation of other identification documents,” read the issuance.
They may be presented instead of a birth certificate in applications for the likes of marriage license, student’s driver permit or conductor’s license, the Professional Regulation Commission, and those relative to voter’s registration.
The PhilID, PSN or PSN Derivative as authenticated may also be used when enrolling at public and private schools or registering for the Philippine Educational Placement Test, the EO stated.
The order also directs covered agencies to amend their Citizen’s Charters, especially regarding identification requirements, to integrate the components of PhilSys and accommodate its features.
Agencies must inform the public of these amendments, while private entities are enjoined to do likewise regarding similar changes in their identification requirements.
Over 50 million Filipinos have completed the Step 2 registration of PhilSys as of the first half of December, hitting the Philippine Statistics Authority’s target for 2021. This step involves the validation of supporting documents and collection of biometric information.
