All systems go for ID system

All systems go for the proposed Metro Manila ID System, which would pave the way for the national implementation of the project.

Metro Mayors League spokesman (MML) and Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad said all 17 local government units of Metro Manila are now speeding up barangay registration in their respective localities to have the anti-terror measures implemented in the National Capital Region as soon as possible.

Trinidad said a complete list or database of residents in each barangay is all they need before the full implementation of the localized version of National ID System.

Trinidad also admitted that the ID system which would be implemented by each local government unit according to its own standards, received a big boost following the result of a recent survey showing the support of the public to the project.

"But with or without the survey, we mayors already agreed to have our own version of the ID System. And now we are in the final stages of preparations," the mayor said in an interview with The STAR. — Edu Punay

Trinidad stressed they would no longer be needing a council ordinance for the local ID system since it is part of President Arroyo’s project.

He said the mayors earlier tapped their respective Planning Division and Barangay Action Centers (BAC) to work on the data base, which would be used for the IDs that will be distributed to their constituents.

At the national level, the National Economic Development Council (NEDA) has been tapped for the information gathering stage of the ID system.

Trinidad said they expect the project to be implemented as soon as possible.

He reiterated that the project, which is the government’s response to the threat of terrorism in the country, would be implemented before June.

The proposed ID would carry a control number and the bearer’s name, date of birth, occupation and address. All information would be registered at the BAC data base.