LIPA CITY, Batangas (PIA) – Establishments refusing to honor identification (ID) cards issued by the national government would face heavy fines, the Philippine Statistics Authority warned.
PSA IV-A Director Charito Armonia warned erring institutions they risk being slapped with fines of up to P500,000, citing Republic Act No.11055, commonly known as the PhilSys Act.
She pointed out that under the law, the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID, more commonly known as National ID, is a valid proof of identity guaranteed by the government.
“We have already issued notices to establishments refusing to accept the PhilID or PhilSys ID, specifically on the penalties they will face,” said Armonia at a Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum.
“The President has already given instructions that PhilSys ID should be honored as a valid ID,” she added.
Also, the PSA clarified that the ePhillD it has issued has the same functions and validity as the PVC PhilSys ID card — which takes time to produce.
“Our stakeholders, especially the financial institutions and other partners requiring proof of identity, can use this to authenticate the validity of the PhilSys ID,” Amonia said.
Meanwhile, the PSA has created three versions of the National ID – the physical card, the ePhiIID (printable), and the Digital ID.
Moreover, the PSA has launched a mobile registration initiative to expedite the National ID registration process down to the remotest barangays.
At present, there are 13,117,180 individuals in Calabarzon registered for their PhilSys ID, and the PSA has already delivered a total of 6,614,992 physical PhilID cards, and 6,936,088 being printed.
The PSA assures the public that PhilSys ID is tamper-proof, as it includes unique security features to safeguard the privacy, security, and integrity of the holder’s personal data.
Each PhilSys ID includes the holder’s unique biometric data, photograph, and other personal information, which can be validated using the PSA’s biometric scanners. (PB/PIA 4A)