MindanaoToday.com | PSA-10 assures public of PhilSys security, emphasizes digital ID validity
By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10 assured the public of the security measures for PhilSys registration and the national digital ID.
During the ninth episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on July 23, PSA-10 officer-in-charge Janith Aves stressed that the PhilSys registration process is secure.
She also emphasized the QR code on the national ID is encrypted, making it difficult to tamper with. Each digital ID contains a QR code that is digitally signed. This signature can be verified through the everify.gov.ph platform.
“Digital naman ta karon so wala siyay signature, kay ang signature prone sa forgery whereas if we have the QR code, ma-verify nato if that person is really the owner of that national ID,” she said.
(We are digital now, so it does not have a signature because the signature is prone to forgery, whereas if we have the QR code, we can verify if that person owns that national ID.)
The digital national ID is easily accessible through computers or smartphones with an internet connection. It holds the same validity as the physical card and printed ePhilID for all government and private transactions. Individuals registered with PhilSys can access and view their digital national ID through two methods: visiting https://national-id.
A Valid Proof of Identification
PSA-10 confirmed that all formats of the national ID – the physical card, printed ePhilID, and digital ID – are valid proofs of identification.
PSA Bukidnon Chief Statistical Specialist Maria Evangeline Non explained that the national ID is a sufficient form of identification. By law, institutions that refuse to accept the national ID face penalties. However, before imposing penalties, PSA conducts thorough verification to ensure the validity of the reports.
“There are cases nga nakita namo that ang empleyado or staff lang within the office is not aware of the guidelines as to the acceptance of the national ID,” she said.
(We have encountered instances where employees or staff within the office are unaware of the guidelines for accepting the national ID.)
Non said some private institutions, especially those dealing with financial transactions, might require additional supporting documents to verify identity. (APB/PIA-10)
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