The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has requested more funding to address the backlog of 36 million National ID cards, with Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista stating that the current National Expenditure Program (NEP) is insufficient to meet the demand for printing.
According to an ABS-CBN News report, as of the end of 2024, over 55 million National IDs have been distributed out of the 91.7 million registered Filipinos. Bautista attributed delays to the termination of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) contract with its previous supplier, AllCard Incorporated, due to non-compliance issues.
The PSA is implementing alternative solutions, including issuing ePhilIDs and digital IDs, but many Filipinos still prefer physical cards. Bautista noted that storms and work suspensions last year also disrupted onsite registration efforts.
In a separate development, the PSA has partnered with Pilipinas Teleserv to integrate the National ID system into the PSA Helpline, an online platform for civil registry documents. This integration allows for more secure identity verification using biometric data linked to the National ID.
The PSA aims to expand the National ID’s integration into other government systems, such as passport issuance, and plans to work with local government units, national agencies, and private sectors to boost adoption.
