The Philippine Identification System of PhilSys was established by law as the single national ID system for citizens and resident aliens of the Philippines. It was created to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government or private sector.
The PhilSys comes with a PhilSys Number or PSN and a Philippine Identification card or PhilID.
The Executive Order further states that even if a PhiID is not presented, if the bearer has a PSN that is provided and validated, this will be sufficient proof of identity to transact businesses with government and the private sector entities.
The PhilID and PSN may also be presented in lieu of a birth certificate for transactions that include but are not limited to:
- application for marriage license
- applications for student driver’s permit/conductor’s license with LTO
- enrollment of students in public or private schools
- applications with the PRC
- voter’s applications
No additional proof of identity or age shall also be required upon presenteation of the PhilID, or PSN as authenticated.
This is indeed good news for those Filipinos with a PSN or PhilID! The Executive Order signed by the President further institutionalizes the use of the PSN and PhilID in all our daily transactions making identification processes simpler and more efficient.
The EO however notes in Section 6 that “if any part of provision of this Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.” So this is a space we will have to check back with in the future if Congress sees any issues. For many, obtaining the PhilID is still a waiting game given the effects of the pandemic and Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao.