DIMIAO KICKS-OFF
PHILSYS STEP 2 REG!
By: L.A. GETZ
Photo Credits: Ms. Estrella T. Guzon and Jona Karen P. Codilla
“ID Natin ‘to!” yelled all of Dimiao as it kicked-off with Phase Two of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) last March 02, 2021 at the Dimiao Municipal Infirmary Building.
Municipal Mayor Randolph L. Ang, Vice-Mayor Gilberto C. Lagua and Ms. Glenda Wahing, Registration Officer II of Philippines Statistics Authority (Bohol) graced the event and gave their respective speeches. Lagua, however, had to leave early, as he had to preside the scheduled Sangguniang Bayan regular session that day.
In behalf of her boss, PSA-Bohol Provincial Statistics Officer CSS Jessamyn Anne Alcazaren, Ms. Wahing explained the event’s rationale and mechanics. Citing Republic Act No. 11055 (Philippine Identification System Act), Ms. Wahing stressed the importance of a single national ID system, which “covers all citizens and resident aliens of the country, including those who belong to the most vulnerable groups, like the poor, people in geographically-isolated and disadvantage areas, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.”
Moreover, Ms. Wahing said that the National ID paves the way to how services are accessed and availed of in a digitized context, for purposes of employment, enrollment to schools and universities, opening bank accounts, securing government clearances (PNP, NBI, etc.), applying for social welfare and benefits in government offices like GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG (HMDF), and other similar transactions. She further pointed out that the national ID or PhilSys is not intended to replace other existing functional IDs like driver’s license and passport.
In a rejoinder, Mayor Ang made it clear that the PhilSys is not some covert operation for publicly scrutinizing people’s private information, stressing further that LGU-Dimiao believes and abides by the Data Privacy Act. “Instead, this is a way for us to be counted, as each of us is part of what comprises the Filipino nation,” he said.
Seated (Left to Right): MS. GLENDA WAHING and PhilSys Dimiao Focal Person ESTRELLA T. GUZON flanked by the female PhilSys personnel and LANDBANK (Bohol) Staff.
Ang then lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting before formally declaring the opening of the PhilSys Registration in Dimiao.
According to Ms. Wahing, five (5) registrants can be entertained in an hour, totaling up to 45 persons per 9-hour work day. Ms. Wahing then introduced the 5-man personnel in-charge of PhilSys-Dimiao, led by its Supervisor, Mr. Archie Gamutan. Accompanying them are two LANDBANK (Bohol) personnel, who will assist registrants, especially retirees and pensioners to open bank accounts in said agency to facilitate social pension claims.
In an exclusive interview, resident Civil Registrar Estrella T. Guzon said that an alphabetized barangay-oriented registration schedule was designed by the PSA-Central Office for everyone’s information and guidance.
Prior to the photo-op moments that capped the ceremony, Ms. Guzon gave the closing remarks, expressing that we brace for the hard work that will follow, and hope for the best turn-out of this PhilSys Registration. LGU-Dimiao