DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has issued a total of 200,344 ePhilIDs or the electronic printable version of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID or national ID to registrants in the Ilocos Region as of February 5.
 
In a statement released Thursday, the PSA said this was due to the combined efforts of those involved including the claiming process at registration centers, plaza-type and house-to-house distribution.
 
PSA Ilocos information officer Jim Ian Bautista said of the total number, 63,198 were issued in Ilocos Norte; 29,925 in Ilocos Sur; 12,307 in La Union; and 94,914 in Pangasinan.
 
The PSA said that it also gradually rolled out a website through which a portable document format (PDF) copy of the ePhilID can be downloaded, providing registered persons with the convenience of an ID that can be stored on their mobile devices.
 
Registered persons who receive an SMS or text message sent by the statistics agency may download the ePhilID.
 
In terms of security, the ePhilID boasts of its QR code which uses public-private key cryptography to ensure that the information inside the code cannot be tampered with.
 
It can be scanned using PhilSys Check via verify.philsys.gov.ph, an identity authentication tool that cross-checks the data stored in the QR code against the data printed on the ePhilID.
 
Aside from demographic information, the QR code also contains the registered person’s facial photo for an added layer of security when verifying the identity of the ePhilID holder.
 
Bautista said, “Like the physical card, the ePhillD has no expiration and shall be honored and accepted in all transactions requiring proof of identity and age, subject to authentication.”
 
In addition, Bautista said the PSA is on top of fast-tracking the production and delivery of PhilIDs to registered persons, including those with ePhilIDs, so more registered individuals will immediately enjoy the benefits of being PhilSys-registered.
 
Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.
 
It provided easier accessibility and application for social welfare programs and employment opportunities, unlocking access to basic social services, and promoting greater financial inclusion. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)