LUNA, Apayao – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Apayao has made significant progress in implementing the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act, registering a total of 90,309 individuals in the province as of July 2023.
The PhilSys Act, also known as Republic Act No. 11055, aims to establish a unified identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the Republic of the Philippines.
Since its launch on June 7, 2021, PSA Apayao has been actively conducting mobile registrations in every barangay of the province, targeting individuals aged 5 years and above.
Mr. Geoffrey B. Calimuhayan, who leads the Office, has been diligently informing citizens about the opportunity to avail free registration for the Philippine Identification System. The registration process comprises three steps: Online registration for the collection of demographic information and appointment setting, Validation of demographic data and capturing of biometric information, including fingerprints, iris scans, and front-facing images, and delivery of the PhilID to the registered individual’s provided address.
Further, Philsys Unit Focal Person Jade M. Sumibcay, disclosed the registration progress. He stated that 42,243 individuals registered from June 2021 to December 2021, 34,636 from January 2022 to December 2022, and 13,430 from January 2023 up to the present.
Presently, PSA Apayao operates three functioning registration kits, with one kit deployed in upper Apayao, another in lower Apayao, and the third stationed at their office. Each kit has a daily quota of 25 registrants.
The registration process has been further streamlined, and successful registrants can now receive their ePhilID immediately after registration. This proactive approach by PSA allows Filipinos to start benefiting from PhilSys registration while awaiting the official PhilID card.
The PSA Apayao continues to urge all Yapayaos to register for the Philippine Identification System. Registrants are advised to bring any valid ID or birth certificate when visiting the registration center located at Purok Namnama, San Isidro Sur, Luna, Apayao.
Mr. Sumibcay encourages the yApayaos to participate in the National ID program, emphasizing that the PhilID serves as a foundational identification that eases transactions with both government and private institutions through simpler validation and authentication of identity. By Jomela Dela Torre
