DAVAO CITY—The local government of Davao City will be implementing a modern ID (identification) card system for Dabawenyos that aims to simplify access to government services in the city.
An ordinance authored by Davao City 2nd District Councilor Bonz Andre Militar that establishes a Unified Davao City Identification Card or DCitizen ID was approved on March 25 its third and final reading by the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council).
Militar in an interview last April 1, says the ID unifies the various government services so the public will not have to go around different government offices for their transactions.
“Isa sa pinakagwapo na feature sa atong ID system aside sa atong ID, gi-convert nato ang atong server sa local agency into a unified access meaning centralized server na ang local agencies diri sa Davao City,” Militar said.
(One of the nicest features of our ID system aside from the ID itself is we converted the servers of our local agencies into a unified access, meaning our local agencies in Davao City have a centralized server.)
Militar says the ID will not just be for residents but will also include transients.
“We have residents, transients, we have persons with disabilities, we have senior citizens,” the district official said.
Residents are those classified as 18 years old and above staying in the city for one year or more, they can get a resident ID.
Militar says for 15-17 years old they can apply for DCitizen ID and will be given physical ID cards while 0 to 15 years old whose parents are Dabawenyo residents will be provided with electronic IDs.
He said the validity of the card is good for five years as records need to be regularly updated.
For those applying for DCitizen resident ID they need to present a valid ID, barangay certification of residence in Davao City. For those with existing IDs such as PWD, Solo Parent, Senior Citizens they will depend on the existing records.
“As long as they show proof that they had lived in Davao City for how many years, automatic they can be registered for our ID.”
For transients they will just have to indicate their nature of stay in the city.
Transients will include students/employees living in the provinces who are studying/working in Davao City during weekdays or businessmen who have transactions with the city government like permits and taxes.
The registration and renewal of the ID will be free to the public.
Militar who is an Information Technology professor at the University of Mindanao and the current chairperson on the committee of Information Communications Technology of the City Council says the ID is in line with his advocacy of digitalizing government transactions.
“Lahi naman gud karon tanan naga digitalize na so ang Davao City dapat di ta dapat ma-behind in terms of digitalization,” Millitar said.
(It is different now, everyone is digitalizing, so Davao City must not be left behind in terms of digitalization.)
Under the DCitizen ID ordinance, a technical working group will be formed that will handle the ID registration, distribution, and system maintenance for smooth implementation. The TWG will include representatives from the City Information Technology Center, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Legal Office, and the Public Safety and Security Office.
There are plans that the DCitizen ID can be used as a payment card for the planned Davao City High Priority Bus System. (PIA/RG Alama)
