STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna – The proper implementation of the National ID system holds the key to the effective delivery of social services especially to poor Filipinos, former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Saturday.
Lacson, who sponsored and co-authored the National ID Law, said the National ID would have provided social welfare authorities with the database to determine which families need assistance from the government.
“Imagine if we had an efficient National ID system, we would not be left guessing on who to give assistance to, because we know who will need government aid,” he said in Filipino at the press conference of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate here.
Related: Ping Lacson: National ID, Susi sa Epektibong Pagbigay ng Social Services
He noted that when he headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001, he had advocated such a system mainly to aid in crimefighting. But as a civilian, he realizes its potential as a foundation for social services.
Lacson lamented that while the National ID law was good and with an initial budget of P25 billion, its implementation is flawed. He cited information reaching him that some parties interfered in the bidding process.
As a result, he said many who applied for the National ID for two years or more are still waiting for their cards. He said lawmakers must revisit the implementation of the National ID law as part of their oversight functions.
“We must revisit this as part of oversight functions, and review how its funds were spent,” he said.
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Ping Lacson: National ID, Susi sa Epektibong Pagbigay ng Social Services
STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna – Ang tamang pagpapatupad ng National ID system ang susi sa epektibong pagbigay ng mga social services lalo na para sa mga mahihirap, ayon kay dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ngayong Sabado.
Ani Lacson, na naging sponsor at co-author ng National ID Law, mabibigyan ng National ID ang pamahalaan ng database para malaman kung sino ang nangangailangan ng tulong mula sa gobyerno.
“Imagine kung meron tayong efficient National ID system, hindi na tayo mangangapa kung sino ang bibigyan ng ayuda. Kasi tukoy na natin kung sino nararapat na bigyan ng tulong ng pamahalaan,” aniya sa pulong pambalitaan ng Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate dito.
Ipinunto ni Lacson na noong naging hepe siya ng Philippine National Police mula 1999 hanggang 2001, itinulak niya ang ganitong sistema para labanan ang krimen. Nguni’t bilang sibilyan, nakikita niya ang potensyal nito bilang “foundation” para sa social services.
Ikinalungkot ni Lacson na bagama’t mabuting batas ang National ID Act, na may initial budget na P25 bilyon, may problema ang implementasyon nito. Ayon sa impormasyong natanggap niya, ito ay dahil may nakialam sa bidding process.
Dahil dito, aniya, marami na nag-apply ng National ID dalawang taon na o higit pa ay naghihintay pa rin sa National ID card nila. Aniya, dapat mabantayan ito ng mambabatas bilang bahagi ng kanilang oversight functions.
“So dapat mabantayan oversight, at ma-review ang pondo kung paano nagastos,” aniya.
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