The Philippine Statistics Authority in Negros Oriental has rolled out its Step 2 Registration for the country’s national identification system.
PSA-Negros Oriental Provincial Chief Engr. Ariel Fortuito announced that the rollout will initially accommodate only residents from Dumaguete who completed the Step 1 Registration last year for the country’s Philippine Identification System program.
“It is not a full implementation yet but with a limited number of registrants,” he said, noting that they still have to observe the system which had glitches that delayed the rollout originally scheduled Feb. 2.
Barangay Tabuctubig registrants were among the first to be served, but only for those who have received a PSA system-generated confirmation for Wednesday’s rollout, he added.
Fortuito assured the public that their office is adhering to the Privacy Act. “Even we, ourselves, cannot access the names of these people who need to be informed,” he added.
Next week, the PSA might also begin the Step 2 Registration in five other local government units and onwards.
Signed into law by President Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.
The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts.
It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (Judy F Partlow/PNA)
