Happy 1-year anniversary in the delayed distribution of the national IDs, mocked some netizens on the online announcement of the Philippine Statistics Authority enjoining non-PhilSys registered citizens. The promised delivery time is 3 to 6 months but most Filipinos have not received their IDs.
For all the hype and urgency that the government attached to the Philippine national ID system (Philsys), the agency tasked to distribute and have these IDs delivered to the homes have yet to meet its avowed timetable of 3 to 5 months.
For one, I applied and underwent the three processes for PhilSys ID in June last year, and I have yet to get mine at home, nearly a year after.
Also, the government, through the Philippine Statistics Authority, promised that this will be the only ID required in any transactions (private and public) and no more of those usual two ID requirements of banks to transact with them. But just last month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was still enjoining the banks to recognize the PhilSys ID as the sole identification of their clients (and that was a year after the law on PhilSys ID took effect).
The point is government legal mandates—or new laws passed—remain inutile even after the implementing rules and regulations have been issued. Perhaps it is because Congress passes too many unnecessary and overlapping laws (which it cannot even fund).
An announcement of the PhilSys was greeted by applicants of the national ID who claimed that their own cards have not yet been delivered a year after applying.
Last Friday, the agency said that it continues to scale up efforts to deliver the national ID to millions of Filipinos by tapping 17 field offices to help the Post Office deliver the cards to those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Ironically, even just in Quezon City where I live, PhilSys has not yet delivered my ID.
“The PSA salutes the regional directors who signified their support in ensuring that more Filipinos can have a valid proof of identity that will allow them to access essential government and financial services,” said Undersecretary PSA Director General Dennis Mapa.
“Their cooperation will boost efforts to deliver cards to the millions of Filipinos currently registered to PhilSys, especially those residing in far-flung areas,” he added.
The agency also said that it will soon roll out its mobile app this year. Registrants who have not yet received their physical IDs may use its digital version through offline and online transactions with the help of the app.
The announcement triggered comments from some applicants who claimed that it has been “one year” since they have registered for the national ID.
“Nako po, 1 year aniversary na ng PhilSys ko wala pa din, anyare. Ay nako, Santo Santo na ta’s eleksyon, (giyera ng) Russia, sumabog na ang Taal. Hinaantay niyo, bagyo?” a Filipino wrote in the comments.
“Happy anniversary,” another Facebook user quipped.
“1 year na po (‘yung) sakin, hanggang ngayon wala pa rin. Saan ba pwede kuhanin ‘yan at personal na lang kami mag-claim niyan, kaya naman namin mamasahe, thank you,” a different applicant said.
“Amin po 1 year and 1 month na… still waiting pa din,” commented another Filipino.
“Sabi 3 to 6 months (mare-receive) na ‘yong ID. Mag-1 year na po, waley pa rin po,” a different user said.
The page administrator replied to one of the Filipinos in the comments with the following:
“Sa kabila ng limitasyon na dala ng pandemya, tinitiyak ng PSA ang patuloy na produksyon at delivery ng PhilID sa milyon-milyong Pilipino na matagumpay nang nakatapos ng kanilang PhilSys Step 1 and Step 2 registration.”
“Hiling namin ang inyong pag-unawa at suporta. Kasalukuyan naming prayoridad ang paghahatid ng PhilID sa mga low-income families na nairehistro mula noong 2020 at mga unang buwan ng 2021.”
“Samantala, antabayanan ang paglulunsad ng PhilSys mobile ID, ang alternatibo at digital na bersyon ng PhilID na maaari nang gamitin habang naghihintay sa inyong aktwal na card.”
This was not the first time that applicants have brought up concerns about their national ID cards.
Last month, the keyword “National ID” reached the top trending list on Philippine Twitter as Filipinos wonder when their IDs would be delivered following their registration.
The PSA on March 22 said that over 8 million cards, or 24.2 percent, have been delivered this year out of 33.8 million.
The national ID aims to establish a single identification card or system for all citizens in the Philippines which will replace over 46 existing government IDs to provide better convenience in transactions.
Tags: #PSA, #nationalID, #happy1yeardelayeddeliveries, #PhilSys