Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish National ID registration centers within DOH hospitals in a move to streamline government services.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative was highlighted during the celebration of the 2026 National Hospital Week and Hospital Summit anchored on the theme "One Health for One Nation." Under the MOA, registration sites will be set up directly within healthcare facilities to serve patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel, ensuring that lack of mobility or time will not hinder citizens from securing their official government identification.
Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. highlighted that integrating the National ID registration system into hospital operations aligns with the government's broader "whole-of-government" approach to digital transformation and patient-centered care. "We have declared our support for the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development and the Philippine Statistics Authority in advancing the National ID coordination strategy in DOH hospitals," he said. "Together with the support of PhilHealth, this initiative will help us make our hospitals places of healing and gateways to essential government services," he added.
Pujalte noted that modernizing the health sector through digital health records, telemedicine, and patient appointment systems is essential for reducing outpatient department queues and enhancing patient experience, but emphasized that technology must serve a higher human purpose. Reaffirming the DOH's core advocacy, Pujalte reminded healthcare managers and stakeholders that all policies and processes must prioritize the welfare of the public.
PSA PhilSys Registry Office Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista described the agreement as a concrete step toward leveraging technology for compassionate and inclusive governance. "Imagine a mother registering her child for a national ID while waiting for a medical checkup, or a senior citizen receiving their ePhil ID right from their hospital room," she said. "Picture a healthcare worker instantly and accurately verifying a patient's identity, reducing paperwork, preventing errors, and ensuring care is delivered without delay. This is the power of authentication," she added.
Bautista emphasized that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensure that "no one is left behind, and that every Filipino, no matter how far or how vulnerable, has an identity with the government."
