DAGUPAN CITY — About 353 children aged one to four years old in the sixth district of Pangasinan have been registered to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) through the “Rehistro Bulilit” program of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Aug. 31.
Christopher Flores, focal person of PhilSys-Pangasinan, explained that following Republic Act No. 11055 or the PhilSys Act, every Filipino citizen, regardless of age, must have a national ID which serves as valid and sufficient proof of identity.
“Ang main purpose nito (Rehistro Bulilit) ay upang magkaroon ng identification ang mga bata. Sa pamamagitan ng national ID, masisigurong tama ang impormasyon at legitimate ang kanilang pagkakakilanlan, pati na rin ang impormasyon ng kanilang magulang,” he said.
(The main purpose of Rehistro Bulilit is to give identification to the children. Through the national ID, it will ensure that the children’s information is accurate and their identity is legitimate, as well as that of their parents.)
Children were accompanied by their parents or guardians during registration and linked their PhilSys number to their child’s record to ensure easy access to required data when needed.
The event also welcomed walk-in adults, providing them the opportunity to obtain their National ID.
“Target kasi ng PSA na ma-irehistro (sa PhilSys) ang lahat ng ating mga kababayan. Dumarami ang population natin, kaya habang narito ang PSA, patuloy kaming magbibigay ng serbisyo para sa mga Pilipino at maging sa mga resident alien upang mabigyan sila ng national ID,” said Flores.
(The PSA aims to register all of our countrymen in PhilSys. Our population is increasing, so as long as the PSA is here, we will continue to provide services to Filipinos as well as resident aliens to issue them a National ID.)
Rodolfo Sison, a resident of Rosales town took the opportunity to register his four-year-old grandson for national ID, understanding that it is mandatory for every Filipino.
“Pinapa-register na kasi lahat ng Pilipino (sa PhilSys). Nalaman ko na pwede na ring iparehistro ang apat na taong gulang, kaya pina-register ko na siya,” he said.
(Filipinos are being registered with PhilSys. I heard that even four-year-olds can now be registered, so I had my grandchild registered.)
Beth Cabanilla, a mother of a three-year-old girl from Alcala town, expressed her gratitude for the PSA’s Rehistro Bulilit program.
“Mas madali na [ang transaksyon] kapag may sariling ID ang bata,” she said.
(It is easier to handle transactions when the child has their own ID.)
Meanwhile, the PhilSys focal officer mentioned that the ePhilID, whether in printed form or as a digital copy downloadable online, is accepted for transactions with any government agency.
Moreover, Flores said that the support of the provincial government is consistently available, with the Provincial Health Office providing free medical and dental check-ups and the Provincial Library offering storytelling sessions and art drawing to ensure the registrants’ comfort throughout the registration activity.
The support greatly enhanced the overall registration process.
Further, SM City Rosales expressed their willingness to assist the government by offering support to enhance public initiatives and services by providing venues for community events that benefit the local population.
“Bukas po ang SM City Rosales sa programa ng PhilSys at sa ano mang projects ng ating provincial at municipal government. Maaari silang magsagawa ng event dito,” she said.
(SM City Rosales is open to PhilSys programs and any projects of our provincial and municipal governments. They can hold events here.)
Rehistro Bulilit program will also be rolled out in the second and third districts at the Lingayen Civic Center and San Carlos City Arenas Gymnasium, respectively on Sept. 4. By Jenrie C. Del Rosario and Angeline Q. Aromin
