PSA ensures individual privacy on national ID

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) yesterday gave assurance that the right to privacy of individuals will be respected once the government implements the national identification card (PhilSys). 

 “The PhilSys is very simple: it will only answer who are you and who you really say you are – that’s all,” Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales explained.

Bersales said the national ID’s primary objective is to provide identity to citizens and resident aliens in the Philippines and for easier authentication of their identity in transactions with government.

Bersales assured the public that PSA, as implementing agency, will abide by the safeguards of the law.

She said the law protects every citizen from violation of the privacy of individuals.

“On top of that, we also need to abide with the Data Privacy Act. You’re double dead if you do not complete this – that’s number one,” Bersales stressed.

The PSA is also committed to follow the PhilSys Act, she added.

Under Section 18 of Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System law, the PhilSys registry is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure and against accidental or intentional loss, destruction or damage.

It also mandates that all individuals shall be informed adequately upon registration for PhilSys on how their data will be used. The law provides penalty for unlawful use of the ID, as well as acts such as willful submission of or causing to be submitted of a fictitious name or false information in application or renewal.

The National Privacy Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will also coordinate with PSA for the implementation of the project.

“But you know PSA people have always been aware of confidentiality and privacy issues,” Bersales said.

“We have always been committed to the… United Nations’ principles of official statistics – so we are committed to that,” she added.

The PhilSys registry data shall include demographic data of the person, such as the full name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address, classification whether a Filipino or alien, and optional information on e-mail address, mobile number and marital status.

The ID will also contain biometrics information, front facing photograph, full set of fingerprints, iris scan and, if necessary, other identifiable features of an individual as may be determined in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

In case of visual or physical impairment that renders the capturing of biometric information of the person applying for registration impossible, biometrics exemptions shall be employed and allowed by the PSA. 

The national ID shall be honored for applications to social welfare benefits, services and benefits of government agencies.

Newborn babies will be immediately provided with PhilSys number or PSN although their biometrics will be obtained after reaching five years old.

Under the 2018 national budget, the ID system will be allocated P2 billion for its implementation within the year.

About P1.4 billion will be used for the procurement of the ICT system for the PhilSys, while the rest will be used for the Maintenance Operating and Other Expenses (MOOE). – With Jose Rodel Clapano