The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Negros Oriental on Monday resumed registration of citizens to the government’s national identification system following a hiatus due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in the province last December.
PSA-Negros Oriental provincial director Engr. Ariel Fortuito told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that his office has deployed 16 registration kits to different towns and cities for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) registration.
“We were not able to start immediately the registration process this year as many towns and cities, especially in the central and northern parts of the province, were badly devastated by Typhoon Odette,” Fortuito said.
Following the onslaught of the typhoon on Dec. 16, 2021, many areas were left without electricity and an internet connection, he noted.
This rendered an interruption in the national ID registration, but now, some areas, have already been partially energized and internet connection has been restored, Fortuito said.
Some of the areas which resumed registration beginning January 24 are Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City, Tanjay City, and Bais City, although the latter is not “fully operational” yet, he added.
This provincial capital city, meanwhile, resumed its registration last week, the PSA provincial chief said.
The PSA-Negros Oriental was given a target of 400,000 registrants for this year, Fortuito noted.
While unable to reach its target last year due to Typhoon Odette, it hit 98.70 percent as of Dec. 31, 2021, or 843,127 registrants with a remaining workload of 11,130 individuals.
Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.
The national ID will be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts.
It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions.
Source: Philippines News Agency