Philippine bill revives proposal for national ID Tuesday, 17 August 2010 04:53

MANILA: A lawmaker has filed a bill institutionalizing a national identification card that would contain all vital information of every citizen in the Philippines.

Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara said House Bill 131, which proposes the issuance of a “VIP card” on a voluntary basis, covers all Filipinos and resident aliens of legal age.

Bichara said the bill would institutionalise a national voluntary information personal (VIP) card in order to facilitate and streamline governmental transactions and increase productivity.

He said the VIP card will serve as valid proof of the bearer’s identity.

It will contain the cardholder’s permanent serial number, name, photograph, residence address, date of birth, sex, height and weight, nationality, blood type, polling precinct, barangay/municipality/city or province and special medical needs.

“The VIP card will protect, secure and/or save the holder from red tape in the government bureaucracy, unnecessary harassments, and waste of time,” Bichara said.

He said the VIP card shall be presented and honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth and other personal circumstances with any government agency, application for passport and driver’s license.

The VIP card can also be used in filing applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF).

He said the VIP card can also function as proof of identity for admission in all schools, colleges and universities, learning institutions, as well as for employment purposes.

the philippine star

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