Philippines launches official national digital ID, new authentication services | Biometric Update

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has unveiled two new biometric authentication services, namely the National ID eVerify and National ID Check, to enable more secure, efficient and reliable transactions. The rollout of these authentication services happened on June 10 alongside the launch of the official digital ID. This comes as the national ID is enjoying more acceptance especially in the financial services sector with more banking institutions and e-money providers welcoming them for transactions. According to a press release from the PSA, the new authentication services have been introduced, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), to further the country's digital transformation process. PSA Undersecretary Claire Denis S. Mapa said the new services will ensure that every Filipino who is registered for the national digital ID is able to enjoy "improved access to a reliable and secure proof of identity that can be easily authenticated on their devices." "This will facilitate the faster distribution and wider utilization of the National ID, with relying parties finding it easier to onboard to the National ID system," Mapa notes. Relying parties can include public and private organizations, employers, financial service providers, schools and universities, the National ID eVerify website states. They can use it for identity verification through selfie biometrics, as well as KYC and age verification purposes. The website includes portals to register as a relying party and for checking the authenticity of the national ID in any format. DICT Secretary Ivan E. Uy says the launch of the official national digital ID will facilitate government transactions and delivery of services. He said the credential will among other things also "streamline transactions, improve service delivery, and ultimately make doing business easier for everyone." Officials say the newly launched national digital ID can either be accessed through the national ID website or downloaded from the digital government (eGovPH) mobile application. To register for eGovPH, Philippines residents input demographic information and preform biometric facial verification. At the launch of the official national digital ID, the Philippines President's Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs, Fredrick Go, urged citizens to go for the digital ID while waiting for the physical version of their cards to be produced, reports the Manila Bulletin. The Bulletin reports that some people are waiting over a year to receive their physical ID cards. In a related development, Business Mirror reports that the Philippines national ID is now accepted as a proof of identity by four more banks and an e-money provider. Frederick Go disclosed during the launch of the national digital ID that the four banks are the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI); Asia United Bank (AUB); PS Bank, and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), while the e-money issuer is GCash. The media outlet quoted the official who described the acceptance as "victory for the people," urging more private sector service provides to embrace the national ID as a tool for seamless delivery of crucial services to the public. Go highlighted the positive impact the ID will have on people's daily lives. A digital ID for pensioners was recently launched in the Philippines and the PSA announced that the number of people accessing their national ID through the digital government app had increased.