Nat’l ID applicants urged to follow health protocols
PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Friday reminded the public to strictly observe minimum health safety standards when they register for the Philippine ID system (PhilSys) this year.
The PNP chief issued the reminder following an incident in San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan where people flocked to a mall to register in the national ID system even if they did not have appointments. Photos and videos of the incident posted on social media showed that physical distancing was completely disregarded.
“Maganda po ang layunin nitong National ID para sa ating lahat. Kaya nga lamang po, dapat po natin siguraduhin na ating sinusunod ang minimum health safety protocols sa registration. Ang ating pagpaparehistro para sa National ID ay hindi dapat maging super spreader event na sanhi pa ng hawaan ng COVID-19,” Eleazar said.
The PhilSys is the government’s central identification platform for all citizens and resident aliens. A person’s records in the system would be considered official and sufficient proof of identity. The national ID would serve as the official government-issued identification document of its holder in transacting with all national and local government agencies.
In the aftermath of the San Jose del Monte City mall incident, Eleazar directed all police commanders nationwide to monitor venues for PhilSys registration in their respective areas of responsibility and to closely coordinate with concerned local government units to be able to provide assistance if needed.
“Hindi po natin alam kung ang iyong sinusundan o kasunod sa pila o ‘di kaya kasiksikan ay COVID positive o hindi. Kaya kailangan pa din natin mag-ingat at gawin ang minimum health standards lalo na ang pananatili ng physical distancing at ang pag-iwas sa mga mass gathering,” he said in reminding the public to strictly adhere to the minimum health safety standards.
“By schedule naman po ang pagpaparehistro sa ating National ID system kaya mas komportable at convenient kaysa sa tayo ay magwalk-in na hindi tayo sigurado kung tayo ay mairerehistro ba. Kung lahat ay basta pupunta lang sa mga registration centers, bukod sa magulo at siksikan, mas lalo po magtatagal ang proseso ng rehistro,” the top cop said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has advised people to register online at the National ID registration portal to schedule an appointment at the nearest physical registration center for the submission of required documents and biometric information.
