House ratifies bicameral version of unified national ID system bill

May 31, 2018

The House of Representatives on Wednesday night has ratified the bicameral conference committee of a proposed law establishing a unified and streamlined national identification system.

The bill would establish the Philippine Identification System aimed at ensuring the safety and security of Filipinos from threats of terrorism and lawless elements.

“This is a welcome development to boost the country’s security. We expect the President to sign this into law,” said Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, who chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development, lauded the ratification of the “National ID System measure to provide a valid proof of identity and an efficient official identity verification of all citizens of the country.”

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said he expects “that the ratification of the bill would help law enforcement agencies to arrest lawbreakers and those behind illegal activities, including banned substances.”

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu and Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, who chairs the House committee on appropriations, urged the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to immediately implement the national identification card system once President Rodrigo Duterte signs the bill into law.

“This is very important in our fight against terrorism and other lawless elements. We expect the PSA to immediately implement this after the measure becomes a law,” said Abu. “This will help interconnect the countless and redundant government IDs.”

Nograles said the PSA could start the process by tapping the P2 billion national ID system budget that had been earmarked under the current P3.767 trillion national budget. DMS