National ID

May 14, 2021

The Philippine government is implementing a national identification system for each Filipino citizen, may he be living in other countries and a foreign permanent resident in the Philippines. This is the PhilID.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is assigned to do the job, hence they are requiring each Filipino to register.

There are three steps to follow for the application of the national ID.

STEP 1: REGISTRATION

The applicant must register their demographic information for the national ID registration. This includes the full name, sex, date and place of birth, blood type and address of the applicant. Other information are the marital status of the applicant, mobile number and the email address.

Although PSA launched the online registration last April 30, there were still some glitches to it. So the PSA, in coordination with the Local Government unit set up mobile registration centers. PSA employees then went to different barangays to do an on-site registration, pending the online registration system. I don't know the status of the online registration as of this writing.

The PSA personnel were scheduled to visit our barangay for the on-site registration last April 29 – 30, 2021. Since I had applied for a leave of absence on April 30, I decided to drop by the registration area to file for my application.

Priority numbers were given to the residents as they limit the number of registrants per day. My house staff went early to the site for the registration, which was the barangay gym, to get my number. My number was number 9. When I went to the site at exactly 8 am, there was already a very long line of applicants. I went in a hurry thinking that since my number is 9, I should be ahead in the line. But I thought wrong. Priority numbers means you will be entertained because you were able to get a priority number but you still have to fall in line. It’s a first come first serve basis as long as you have a priority number.

Since the line was several meters long, I decided to go first to Maayo Well for my son’s laboratory. This was my main reason why I filed for a leave anyway. After having my son’s laboratory extractions, I went back to the gym for registration, which was around eleven in the morning. There were still people in line but not as long as that of the early morning.

When it was my turn, I was given a piece of paper to fill in the demographic information needed. After inputting the details, a PSA employee then took our picture and gave us a copy with QR code. We will have to bring this document together with the ID that we presented when we go to the second step. They will text the appointment schedule for the second step.

By the way, the primary document that they require for identification can be Certificate of Live Birth, the one issued by the PSA. Make sure to bring an original copy. Passports, Driver’s License, SSS ID or UMID ID are also considered as primary documents.

STEP 2: BIOMETRICS

The biometric information includes fingerprint, iris scan and picture. When going to the center for biometric, make sure to bring the documents during the registration and the ID that was presented. Also bring with you your own pen and as per observation do not go there wearing white shirt. It has to be of different colors but not white. The reason for this is maybe because the background where the picture will be taken is also white.

I scheduled myself to go to the center for biometric even if I have not yet received a text notification from them. I learned from my house staff that it is okay to go straight to the center.

I did this because our company has swapped the Eid al Fitr holiday to Friday. This means that while I am on a holiday, the rest of the workforce, especially that of the government, are on duty. Meaning that I will not have to file for a leave just to get a biometrics.

The PSA office in our city is situated on the second floor of the public market. It was my first time to get inside the public market and I find it clean, unlike the very old market that I have visited before. This one has been rebuilt after that strong earthquake which damage the old market.

Safety protocols were observed during the entire process, from the entrance up to the end of the process.

During the biometrics, the demographic information were again being asked but this is directly typed in the system. A monitor is placed in front of you so that you can check the accuracy of the details that were being typed. Then there is that certain device that looks like a binocular, you have to place it in front of your eyes and stare at the red button. Blinking of the eyes is prohibited during this process.

After that is the finger marks. You have to place the four fingers, not including the thumb on another device for it to read your finger markings. You have to press hard so that all the markings are clear. This is done on both right and left fingers.

The then the thumbs will have its turn for the thumbmarks. This is again for both right and left thumbs.

After this is done, it is time for the picture to be taken. This is like having the picture taken for the passport. Accessories, like earrings and necklace has to be removed before the picture taking.

Once all this are done, you will be given time to review the details that were being encoded.

You will then be informed that your PhilID will be delivered to your residence.

Step 3: WAITING

Step 3 consist of waiting for your PhilID to be delivered at your cited address. Once you have your PhilID, please refrain from posting it in the social media.

“The PSA would like to remind everyone not to post the PhilID in social media as this contains our personal information and can be used by scammers.”

Please be informed that getting the PhilID or the national ID is completely free. NO fees are required to get the ID so don’t be deceived by scammers. Fees are only applicable to those lost IDs that you want to be replaced.

The PhilID also has no expiry. This is our ID for life.

Have you registered already? I hope I have shared a useful information here.

Thank you for dropping by.

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 Lead image by Unsplash.