Metro Manila, Philippines – The issuance of national identification cards (ID) will continue despite the terminated contract with the card supplier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ended its contract with AllCard Inc. amid an arbitration between them. The BSP did not provide details about the case.
“The PSA is taking necessary measures for the continuous issuance of National IDs,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday, Aug. 29.
“We affirm our unwavering commitment to delivering a reliable and secure national ID system, ensuring that every registered person will receive their National ID,” the PSA said.
For people with confirmed IDs, these are available in digital – which can be downloaded through national-id.gov.ph – and ePhilID that can be obtained in registration centers.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said the issue is another setback.
“Mukhang magkakaroon na naman ng further delay sa making and delivery of the national IDs. Dapat imbestigahan ‘yan ng Senado,” he said on Friday, Aug. 30.
[Translation: It looks like there will be a further delay in the creation and delivery of national IDs. That should be investigated by the Senate.]
Former Senator Ping Lacson, meanwhile, said he finds it “unacceptable” in failing to fully implement the Philippine Identification System law six years after enactment.
“It should not end with a simple (contract) termination. Following proper legal procedures, sanctions with commensurate damages must be imposed,” he said in a statement.
A number of Filipinos have obtained national IDs. Some noted the issues they experienced with the card.
“May konting ano lang ako problema sa kanya, ‘yung picture ko biglang nabubura agad,” Jonalyn Ong said. “Nagagamit ko siya as a government ID sa mga trabaho, ‘pag papasok ka sa mga building.”
[Translation: I only have a few problems with it. My picture is easily erased. I can still present it as a government ID for work or when entering establishments.]
“’Yung mukha namin nabubura,” Renan Chico lamented.
[Translation: Our faces in the card get erased.]
Some have national IDs printed on paper.
“Hindi ko pa siya totally talaga ‘yung ID, ‘yung parang xerox pa lang. Hindi pa siya ‘yung talagang PVC,” said Lilibeth Ignacio. “Pina-ano ko siya, laminate tas parang ‘yun din ang pine-present ko. Valid naman siya.”
[Translation: What I have is a photocopy. It’s not the card. I had it laminated and that’s what I present. It is valid.]
Asked if she tried generating a digital format, Ignacio replied: “ Hindi ko pa nasubukan kasi hindi po ako maano sa ganyan sa computer.”
[Translation: I have not tried that because I am not used to computers.]
