VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has registered 602,965 Ilocos Sur residents to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) as of March 31.

Jeanette Marzan, chief statistical specialist of PSA Ilocos Sur, said that out of the said figure, a total of 393,273 registrants received their physical PhilSys ID, while 161,001 registrants received their digital ID or the ePhilID.

“We began registering children below five years old in February of this year, with inclusive methods implemented by the PSA to register all residents of the province,” Marzan said in a phone patch interview on Monday.

The PSA has been organizing mobile registrations, in coordination with local government units (LGU), and ‘PhilSys on Wheels’ around the province to serve residents in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and those who are incapable of traveling to PhilSys Registration Centers.

To register, Marzan reiterated that no appointment is required and that they can just visit the PSA Ilocos Sur office located at Barangay Tamag in this city.

Registrants must present their supporting documents, such as their birth certificate, for validation of demographic information and the collection of biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scanning.

For children ages one to four years old, a parent or guardian who is already PhilSys-registered needs to be present and bring supporting documents such as a certificate of live birth issued by the PSA or the Local Civil Registry Office to validate the child’s demographic information.

Once the registration is complete, the child’s PhilSys number or permanent identification number will be linked to the parent or guardian's record.

Marzan said, "The printing and distribution of PhilSys ID is continuous. Those who haven’t received their physical ID may visit the PSA office to have their ePhilID printed but this is subject to availability. What they need to do is present the 29-digit transaction number in their issued transaction slip."

She added that if they misplaced their transaction slip, the PSA may request the PSA Central Office to have the slip reprinted and provide the transaction number of the requestor.

“We are encouraging all residents of Ilocos Sur to register to the PhilSys. Now that the ePhilID initiative is implemented, after enrolling in the PhilSys, they can get their ePhilID within the day and have it printed. After all, the ePhilID can be presented as a valid proof of identity in transactions just like the PhilSys ID,” Marzan said.

Aiman Bajet, a teacher from Cabaroan Daya, Vigan City, received his physical PhilSys ID in 2023. Since then, he has used his ID for multiple purposes, such as providing proof of identity when he applied for a passport and opening a bank account.

“The use of PhilSys ID made my experience as a teacher more convenient. It allowed me to carry out my teaching duties more efficiently without being burdened with complex processes of obtaining important documents and banking services. As a result, I had more time and energy to focus on my work,” Bajet said. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)