Step-by-step: Guide to the Philippine ID registration

WHAT IS THE PHILSYS? The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) is the national government’s identification platform for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens. This 2021, the Philippine government aims to register 70 million Filipinos in PhilSys by the end of the year.

ID LAW SIGNED IN 2018: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Philippine ID System Law in August 2018. Eventually, the system aims to cover all the estimated 108.1 million citizens.

HOW TO REGISTER: To register for a national ID, Filipinos simply have to login to register.philsys.gov.ph, fill out the form and key in the required information, then schedule an appointment for biometrics registration. File photo shows customers at an office of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s central statistical agency tasked to implement the national ID project.

3 STEPS TO FOLLOW: National ID applicants must follow the “three easy steps” to apply for PhilSys, according to PSA. Step 1: Register your demographic information in PSA’s online portal register.philsys.gov.ph. This includes information such as: Full name, gender, date and place of birth, blood type, address.

STEP 2: Biometric information including fingerprint, iris scan, and photograph will be taken in the registration centre during your appointment. The supporting documents will also be validated on-site.

Step 3: Issuance of the PhilSys Number (PSN) and PhilID. Your PSN and PhilID will be delivered to your address by PHLPost. Refrain from posting your PhilID on social media as it contains personal information.

OPTIONAL INFORMATION: Optional information such as marital status, mobile number, and email address will also be collected. After keying in these details, applicants can proceed to set an appointment in the nearest registration centre for the second step. Take note: Prepare the required documents and bring them when you attend your appointment.

COST: The ID is free. However, the replacement of the PhilID, due to damage or loss will be charged. Holders of a “Certificate of Indigency” will not be charged the replacement fee as long as they present their certificate. File photo shows a view of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport T1.

VALIDITY: PhilIDs issued to Filipino citizens do not expire, while resident aliens get them for one year only. The PhilID is the non-transferrable physical ID card, which will be issued upon completing registration.

IS IT A REPLACEMENT FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT IDS? No. The PSA clarified that the PhilID isn’t meant to replace other IDs that have their own uses. “The PhilID is a foundational ID which serves as a valid proof of identity which would help ease transactions with both government and private sector through easier validation and authentication of identity,” PSA stated.

ONLINE REGISTRATION LAUNCHED: The Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) launched the online registration for the PhilSys on Friday morning, April 30, 2021. The “pilot launch” of online registration (Step 1) system, drew an overwhelming response. The site crashed.

TECHNICAL GLITCH: On Friday morning (April 30, 2021), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a Facebook post: “We are currently experiencing technical difficulties. Our technical team is currently figuring out the source of the problem. We will provide updates as soon as the website is up and running. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

40,000 REGISTRATION REQUESTS: “We received more than 40,000 registration requests during the first minutes of the pilot launch,” the PSA stated. “This caused delays in the sending of the one time passwords (OTPs) necessary to proceed with the registration. We are urgently looking into the issue and updating the website to resolve this technical challenge.”

CONTENTS OF PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ID: (1) ID number; (2) Biometrics [thumbprint, iris and face scan]; (3) full name; (4) gender; (5) date of birth; (6) place of birth; (7) blood type and; (8) address; (9) status of the holder (Filipino or a resident alien). Photo shows file of a united multipurpose ID, which will be replaced by the national ID.

WHERE ARE THE REGISTRATION CENTRES? It’s not been announced yet. The PSA explained that it would set up fixed and mobile registration centers in “strategic locations” across the country. “Currently, PSA is in coordination with LGUs (local government units), government agencies and the private sector to determine these locations,” the authority stated on its website. “Further updates on the exact locations of registration centres will be released prior to the opening of PhilSys registration,” it added.

WHAT ABOUT OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS): The Philippine government will conduct mass registration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the national ID. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said the mass listing of Filipino workers abroad is part of a multiphase registration programme for the national ID or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). The registration of OFWs was initially planned in 2020, but the move was delayed.

NETIZENS’ REACTION: Immediately following reports of a glitch, reactions from netizens were immediate. Randy Lee said: “Fire your IT team, IT provider, and whoever ‘Padrino’ (godfather) selected that provider for you. It’s a system for the whole population. Bring in those with actual experience and reputation deploying systems on a nationwide scale.” Mario Valderrama added: “Imagine ilang taon nila ginawa yung system tapos sa pilot day palpak pa din... Dapat maimbetigahan yung contractor na yan malamang may corruption nanaman na nangyari dean.” (Imagine the number of years it took to build the system, but on pilot day, it failed. The contractor should be investigated…there’s a good chance the deal was tainted with corruption.”)