If the national government cannot implement the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys or National ID) properly, perhaps the local government units (LGUs), especially the more progressive ones like Muntinlupa City, can show the way by doing a better job of it.
On this note, former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson wants LGUs to be the starting point for the proper implementation of the PhilSys Act, which he had authored and sponsored in the Senate.
“The National ID system is aligned with Mayor Ruffy Biazon’s aim for Muntinlupa to become a smart city. It can help not just in anti-crime efforts, but also in the implementation of social services. Muntinlupa’s MUNTIcen and MUNConnect programs are commendable,” Lacson said in Filipino at the flag-raising ceremony of the Muntinlupa City government early Monday.
“This is also in line with my advocacy to have full digitalization of all government transactions. And we can start such implementation in your city,” he added.
Related: Ping Lacson, Nais Magsimula sa LGUs ang Tamang Implementasyon ng National ID System
MUNTIcen is the city’s unified ID system designed to streamline citizen services. MUNConnect is a public WiFi system placed in key locations.
Earlier, Lacson lamented the poor implementation by the national government of the National ID system has prevented the PhilSys Act from reaching its potential as a key to maintaining peace and order, as well as the effective delivery of social services.
But he noted the initiatives of LGUs like Muntinlupa City to become smart cities or villages show that they are in a better position to implement programs that benefit their constituents.
Lacson reiterated that he is prepared to help ramp up such an implementation of the National ID system on a national level.
“Let’s not wait for the national government on this. We can start working towards becoming a smart village. I am prepared to do what is needed to scale this up on a national level,” he said.
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Ping Lacson, Nais Magsimula sa LGUs ang Tamang Implementasyon ng National ID System
Kung hindi kaya ng pambansang pamahalaan ang tamang implementasyon ng Philippine Identification System (PhilSys o National ID), baka kaya itong gawin ng mga local government units (LGUs), lalo na ang mauunlad na siyudad tulad ng Muntinlupa City.
Iginiit ito ni dating Senador at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, na nais na maging starting point ang mga LGUs para sa tamang pagpapatupad ng PhilSys Act na kanyang inakda at inisponsor sa Senado.
“Ang National ID system, ito naka-align sa aim ni Mayor Ruffy Biazon na maging smart city. Ang MUNTIcen ID ng Muntinlupa kung saan malaki ang maitutulong hindi lang sa anti-crime efforts, sa peace and order campaign, kundi sa pagbigay ng social services. Kasi kung may MUNTIcen at meron kayong MUNConnect sa Muntinlupa, napakaganda,” ani Lacson sa flag-raising ceremony ng Muntinlupa City nitong Lunes ng umaga.
“So ako kinakatigan ko yan kasi advocacy ko rin magkaroon ng full digitalization ng lahat ng government transactions. At sa inyong lungsod pwede masimulan,” dagdag niya.
Ang MUNTIcen ay ang unified ID system ng siyudad para ma-streamline ang serbisyo para sa nakatira dito. Ang MUNConnect naman ay public WiFi system ng siyudad.
Ikinalungkot noon ni Lacson ang palpak na implementasyon ng National ID system ng pambansang pamahalaan. Dahil dito, aniya, hindi nakamit ang potensyal ng National ID bilang susi sa pagpapanatili ng katahimikan at kapayapaan, at ang tamang paghatid ng social services.
Sa kabila nito, napansin niya na ang mga programa ng LGUs tulad ng Muntinlupa City para maging smart cities o smart villages ay nagpapakita na mas kaya ng LGU ang magpatupad ng programa para sa kabutihan ng kanilang mga constituent.
Muling iginiit ni Lacson na handa siyang gawin ang nararapat para palawakin ang implementasyon ng LGU tulad ng Muntinlupa sa pambansang lebel.
“Huwag na tayo maghintay sa national government, pwedeng gawin dito na gawin isang smart village. Kung anong maitutulong ko sa nationwide sa national,” aniya.
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