February 17, 2022
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered that the national ID or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) be considered as sufficient proof of identity and age in all government and private transactions.
Duterte has signed Executive Order No. 162, which institutionalizes the acceptance of the Philippine ID or number as proof of identity and age in transactions.
Under the EO, PhilSys shall be the government’s central identification platform for all citizens and resident aliens in the country.
The national ID will serve as the official government-issued identification document and official proof of identity of cardholders. Meanwhile, the PhilSys number will be honored and accepted in government and private transactions.
When an individual presents his or her national ID or PhilSys number, he or she no longer needs to present other identification documents, the order read.
These may be presented in lieu of the birth certificate for transactions including:
-applications for marriage license
-applications for student driver’s permit or conductor’s license
-enrollment of students in public and private schools or registration for the Philippine Educational Placement test
-applications with the Professional Regulation Commission
-applications relative to voter’s registration with the Commission on Elections
Meanwhile, agencies covered under the Ease of Doing Business Act are tasked to amend their charters to integrate PhilSys in their systems and accommodate its features.
Banks and other financial institutions shall also comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other government regulatory agencies’ issuances and communicate to the public such policies, guidelines on the use of the national ID or PhilSys number.