MANILA – The Digital National ID is poised to revolutionize the delivery of critical government services, enhancing efficiency and accessibility across the board. This advancement will have far-reaching implications for social welfare benefits, financial inclusion opportunities, and innovation, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Monday (June 10).
During the official launch spearheaded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), NEDA Secretary and PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council Chairperson Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized that the Digital National ID will be a key technology to advance the government’s strategies contained in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
“It is difficult to overstate the potential impact of this project: it will enable efficient identity verification to significantly improve the overall efficiency and quality of government services, especially in the delivery of responsive and timely social welfare benefits. We hope to lessen leakages and ensure that public money is spent where it must be spent,” said Balisacan.
He also highlighted the tangible benefits that will be felt by those receiving social assistance: “It will also reduce inconvenience—lining up, filling up redundant forms—on the part of intended beneficiaries: farmers and fisherfolk, students and mothers, the poor and vulnerable, those hit by disasters and urgently needing social assistance, and so on.”
The Digital National ID system allows Filipino citizens to access and download their National IDs on their smartphones, providing a convenient and secure method of identity verification for transactions with agencies and companies.
In collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the PSA also introduced the National ID eVerify and National ID Check systems to the public. The National ID eVerify provides users with a suite of verification tools, including facial recognition and real-time data verification.
Government agencies can leverage the National ID eVerify system to expedite service delivery by swiftly confirming details. Likewise, companies can utilize the National ID eVerify system to confirm the identities of their employees.
This simplified process can open up numerous opportunities for investments and economic inclusion.
“Having a single proof of identification is a key prerequisite to having access to credit, as emphasized by Sec. Go, which can be used to make high-return investments in physical, human, or financial assets; access various economic opportunities; and reach new markets awaiting to be tapped in our digitally connected world,” the NEDA chief explained.
The National ID Check, on the other hand, enables institutions to validate personal information through QR scanning. This solution verifies information without accessing the National ID database, making it a valuable tool for organizations with limited technological resources.
Balisacan highlighted the National ID’s immense potential, especially as the government looks to continue its strong collaboration with the private sector as an engine of innovation that can identify future uses for the National ID.
“We humbly recognize that the government does not have all the answers: thus, we look to you as wellsprings of fresh, game-changing, and transformative ideas, as we hope to maximize the use of the National ID in the delivery of various services… you can rest assured that we are very much open to hear your ideas and collaborate to find smart and sustainable solutions—with the National ID as a key technology—to our most fundamental development challenges,” he concluded.
Filipino citizens can obtain their Digital National ID on the official website at https://national-id.gov.ph/, while parties interested in leveraging the benefits of National ID eVerify can access the tool by visiting its dedicated website at https://everify.gov.ph/.
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