National ID now available for children ages 0 to 4. Here's how to register
Heads up, parents and guardians!
In case you don't know, the Philippine Statistics Authority has finally started its initiative of including children aged zero to four in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
The scheme was first announced in 2021, but it wasn't until earlier this year that the PSA regional offices such as the Soccsksargen region have begun to implement it.
In a statement, the government agency previously said that even babies can register for the ID and encouraged parents to do so to lessen the burden of getting an ID when they grow up.
In case you need a refresher, the national ID allows Filipinos easier access to financial, social protection, health, education, and other government services, aside from being a valid proof of identity to be used in public and private transactions.
The ID has no expiration date once issued to Filipino citizens, and it will only be renewed upon updating demographic and biometric information. On the other hand, those issued to resident aliens are only valid for one year but can be renewed annually.
Parents or guardians who want to avail a national ID for their child must first be PhilSys registered and have a PhilSys Card Number. This is to link the data of the child and the parents or guardian.
The child doesn't necessarily have to be present in the registration center for their application to be accepted. All you need to do is to bring their birth certificate as well as your own PhilID or an ePhilID card if you still don't have your official ID.
You also need to have a front-facing photo of your child and prepare details such as their sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address, and nationality, among others. Children under five are not required to undergo an iris and fingerprint scan until they become older.
Signed into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.
If you're one of the unlucky ones who still haven't received your national ID, PSA said that it hopes to complete the delivery by September 2024.