Tag: RA 11055

On Long Lines and Other Issues Affecting the Implementation of the National ID Law

If the national government is really serious to implement the National ID system and capture as many registrants and serve the purpose of better delivery of social services to our people – including more efficient revenue collection, effective anti-corruption and anti-criminality efforts and the like – they better resolve some pestering issues quickly and surely.

While the National ID law has finally taken off the ground, it has been slowed by several issues – from the controversies that attended the awarding of contracts in outsourcing supply and services, to the crashing of the PSA website due to the unanticipated surge of applicants, and now the long hours of waiting just to register and God knows what else.

The key to the effective implementation of the National ID System or PhilSys Act is our ability to ‘capture the universe’ and encourage as many Filipinos to sign up and register. That much I used as one of my arguments while sponsoring and defending the measure on the Senate floor three years ago.

Finally, it was enacted into law in 2018. It has already taken a long time since its passage and the implementation of the said law is now taking off the ground. If the issues are left unaddressed, it will be another missed opportunity to uplift the lives of our people in more ways than one.

*****

Ping: Ekonomiya, Mabilis na Ibabangon ng National ID

Bibilis ang pagbangon ng ekonomiya ng bansa kung ganap na maipapatupad ang Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act o ang National ID.

Ito ang nakikita ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, isa sa mga may-akda at ang sponsor sa Senado ng naturang batas na ngayon ay nasa inisyal na bahagi na ng pagpapatupad.

“The lack of identification creates formidable barriers for the downtrodden and the poor, and creates even larger barriers between the government and the people. Hence, we should push for the implementation of the National ID if we want to further strengthen our response not only against the pandemic, particularly in the roll-out of the much-awaited vaccines, but in many of our future endeavors,” paliwanag ni Lacson sa kanyang pagsasalita sa pangatlong taunang economic and political briefing ng Colegio de San Juan de Letran Graduate School.

Related: Lacson: Full Implementation of National ID to Speed Up Economic Recovery
Continue reading “Ping: Ekonomiya, Mabilis na Ibabangon ng National ID”

Lacson: Full Implementation of National ID to Speed Up Economic Recovery

A full implementation of the Philippine Identification System (National ID) Act will speed up the country’s economic recovery following a 9.5-percent contraction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson, one of the authors and the principal sponsor of the measure in the Senate, said the National ID system will promote financial inclusion and streamline government services – both of which are needed at this time.

“The lack of identification creates formidable barriers for the downtrodden and the poor, and creates even larger barriers between the government and the people. Hence, we should push for the implementation of the National ID if we want to further strengthen our response not only against the pandemic, particularly in the roll-out of the much-awaited vaccines, but in many of our future endeavors,” he said at the third annual economic and political briefing of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Graduate School.

Related: Ping: Ekonomiya, Mabilis na Ibabangon ng National ID
Continue reading “Lacson: Full Implementation of National ID to Speed Up Economic Recovery”

Fast-Tracking the National ID System and Funding R&D

The National ID system was signed into law nearly two years ago. There is no other time than now where it is most needed.

I hope the National Economic and Development Authority can fast-track the implementation of the National ID system, as directed by the President.

NEDA should have ample help from the Philippine Statistics Authority as the frontline agency, and the Department of ICT which plays a major role.

The first question is, is the system ready to accept registrants? If so, they should give priority to the marginalized sector, and those targeted for financial assistance because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, while the President has made a P10-million offer to whoever can develop a vaccine for COVID-19, it would mean much more if the government invested more on research and development than the token annual average share of 0.4% from the General Appropriations Act.

We only need to look at how much the most prosperous countries spend on R&D to see why we are among the laggards. Even if we bump up the percentage to 1 or 2 percent of the national budget, it would make a major difference.

*****

PingBills | Senate Resolution 352, Seeking an Inquiry on the Status of the Implementation of RA 11055 (National ID)

“Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, several elective officials are calling for a ‘full-blown’ and immediate implementation of the National ID System as this would not only aid in the efficient distribution of the social amelioration program currently being implemented by different government agencies, but would also help our law enforcement agencies in fighting crimes and facilitate key government services and transactions, among others.” (co-author with Senate President Sotto)

Editorial: Act of responsibility [People’s Tonight]

From People’s Tonight: As Lacson said, let’s do our part in thwarting the spread of the virus even in our own little way.

Continue reading “Editorial: Act of responsibility [People’s Tonight]”

An Appeal for Public Disclosure: How the Average ‘Juan’ Can Help Flatten the COVID-19 Curve

With Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act still not ready for implementation, it is not easy for the government to trace ordinary citizens who tested positive for COVID-19, as well as those who were directly exposed and symptomatic. Making the job harder is the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173), which protects the right to privacy and non-disclosure of medical records of patients.

As an admitted oversight of Congress, the recently enacted Bayanihan to Heal As One Act (R.A. 11469) does not authorize the President to direct the disclosure of COVID-19 patients.

But if public figures like Prince Charles, Boris Johnson, Tom Hanks, Christopher de Leon and several of our own legislators had voluntarily and publicly declared they are or were infected, maybe it is time for the “man on the street” – the ordinary Filipinos – to do the same in order to alert those who they had interacted with to take the necessary measures, so that the infection does not spread further.

If their identities are made public voluntarily, even through their barangay bulletins, homeowners’ associations or any social media platforms available, then people who they directly got in contact with can come forward to be tested and treated if needed.

As an elected Senator of the Republic, I appeal to our citizens to practice that selfless act of responsibility to society and do our part in hastening to flatten the curve by thwarting the spread of the virus even in our own little way.

COVID-19 may not be like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), where there is social stigma attached to the afflicted because it is sexually transmitted in most cases. Nevertheless, it does not diminish the threat that COVID-19 poses not only to those vulnerable but those around them.

*****

National ID System Tops Lacson’s Accomplishment List in 3rd Regular Session

A long hoped-for national ID system that will facilitate the delivery of basic government services while helping fight crime and terrorism.

Such a system, provided for by Republic Act 11055, is the landmark accomplishment of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson during the first few months of the Senate’s third regular session.

RA 11055, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Aug. 6, harmonizes and integrates some 33 government ID cards into a single system.

Related:
Batas Na! Lacson Expects National ID System to Speed Up Transactions, Deter Crime
Lacson-Sponsored Measure Providing Heavier Penalties vs Hazing Signed into Law
Sponsorship Speech: Senate Bill 2031, Rank Classification in the PNP
Lacson Bill Gives Government Stronger Teeth vs Terrorism
Continue reading “National ID System Tops Lacson’s Accomplishment List in 3rd Regular Session”

Read: RA 11055, An Act Establishing the Philippine Identification System (National ID)

Republic Act 11055 establishes the PhilSys (Philippine Identification System) to provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens to simplify public and private transactions.
PhilSys will also be a social and economic platform through which transactions can be availed of, and shall serve as the link in promoting seamless service delivery, enhancing administrative governance, reducing corruption, strengthening financial inclusion, and promoting ease of doing business.

All the Things You’ll Be Able to Use the National ID For [FemaleNetwork.com]

meme0320-id-02

From FemaleNetwork.com: According to Senator Ping Lacson, the country currently has “33 different forms of identification issued by various government agencies;” that this ID system will “harmonize, integrate, and interconnect these countless and redundant government IDs” to “eliminate the need to present other forms of identification in a wide variety of public and private transactions, services, and derivative identity credentials.”  Continue reading “All the Things You’ll Be Able to Use the National ID For [FemaleNetwork.com]”

Will the National ID System End the Long Lines for Birth Certificates? [Esquiremag.ph]

spml-bw

From Esquiremag.ph: Soon, a Filipino citizen will only need a single identification card to prove his or her identity when transacting with any government office as well as with private firms.  Continue reading “Will the National ID System End the Long Lines for Birth Certificates? [Esquiremag.ph]”

Sen. Lacson, lubos ang kasiyahan sa paglagda ni Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang panukalang National ID system [Radyo Pilipinas]

National Identification System.023

From Radyo Pilipinas: Ang naturang panukala na inumpisahang isulong ni Lacson taong 2001 nang maging senador siya sa unang pagkakataon ay nilagdaan na ng Pangulong Duterte bilang Republic Act 11055 sa isang seremonya sa Malacañang.  Continue reading “Sen. Lacson, lubos ang kasiyahan sa paglagda ni Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang panukalang National ID system [Radyo Pilipinas]”