‘Keep digital copies of National IDs
on mobile phones’, PSA to public

REGISTERED individuals are allowed to save a copy or screenshot of their national identification cards on their phones to present in establishments, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a Facebook post, the PSA said that national ID-registered citizens may obtain and generate their digital national ID through the PSA’s website, https://national-id.gov.ph/, or the eGov PH application.

Individuals are advised to capture the front and back profiles of the national ID.

The front profile must include the following:

National ID card number; 

Front-facing photograph;

Present address;

Hologram;

Full name, and date of birth;

Quick response (QR) code; and

Digital ID Number.

Meanwhile, the back portion should present the following titles:

Sex;

Blood type;

Marital status;

QR code; and

Digital ID number;

Special Adviser to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go earlier emphasized that the digital national ID can be used as an alternative for registrants waiting for their physical cards.

On the other hand, the PSA has also developed a website where government and private establishments can authenticate an individual’s national ID.

The use of the website (https://everify.gov.ph/check) is free of charge and will allow users to verify and authenticate the digital national ID by scanning its QR code.

However, the website is recommended mostly for low-risk transactions. Relying parties are advised to onboard with the PSA through an application to the National ID Authentication Services.

“The National ID Check is a significant step towards the digitalization of processes in the country by promoting efficiency, security, and transparency in transactions across various sectors,” it noted.

An offline identity authentication tool PhilSys Check can also be accessed by entities via https://verify.philsys.gov.ph/ using the web browser of a computer, laptop, or smartphone and will require the presentation of the national ID.

The agency noted earlier that establishments and entities, including banks, should accept digital national IDs, as valid and sufficient proof of identity. (Xander Dave Ceballos / mb)