DILG to LGUs, traders: Accept national ID for all transactions

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the Philippine Identification (PhilID) or national ID card should be used as the sole official government-issued identification card valid for all transactions in the country.

He urged local government units, private establishments and the public to transact using the PhilID as a single requirement without needing to present other identification documents to streamline transactions.

“We are letting all government units (LGUs) and private establishments know, do not look for other IDs because the PhilID is good enough,” Año said in a statement.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – in a memorandum – directed LGUs to accept the PhilID card as sufficient proof of identity from the transacting public.

Under Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act, the PhilID card may serve as the official government-issued identification document when dealing with national government agencies, LGUs, financial institutions, schools and all private sector entities.

“The PhilID card reduces costs, simplifies transactions, and makes things easier and more convenient. It also improves government services and reduces red tape in government transactions since all pertinent information of the registered person is already consolidated into one system,” Año added.

The DILG warned that refusal to accept, acknowledge, or recognize the PhilID or PSN (PhilSys Number) without just and sufficient cause will merit a P500,000 fine.

Government employees who refuse to accept the PhilID card will also be banned from holding public office.

About half-a-million national ID cards have been printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and are now being delivered to the first batch of recipients.

About 100,000 registrants have received their PhilID cards.