There will be widespread fraud and societal breakdown if anyone can pretend to be anyone based on nothing more than their word. In the least, dishonesty would be general; no need for drama.
Having a government-issued photo ID is crucial in a country like the Philippines, where the population is estimated to be over 100 million, and many people have the same last name. Because without it, people’s true identities will always be murky and up for debate, and identity theft will be rampant.
Suppose we live in a world where a person’s identification can be established with the tap of a finger. Anyone could make the same bogus “accusation” if just one or two others make the same allegation. However, this is just one of many examples where a rudimentary ID system would be shown to be flawed.
ID Card Efficiency
A valid ID is required for many transactions in today’s society, which is standard information. The ID is irrefutable proof of identity and can be used for anything from opening a bank account or applying for a job to transacting with the government or private businesses.
Therefore, in today’s environment, having no official identification is the same as being socially isolated. This is too inconvenient and worrying in the real world, especially regarding the law.
Kinds of Valid IDs in PH
Filipino citizens are provided multiple alternatives for establishing their identities. The following are all examples of acceptable forms of identification:
Table of Contents
National ID
- How to apply for a PhilSys National ID and track its progress
- Filipinos Receive 17.6 Million National ID Cards
To standardize national identification, the Philippines government implemented PhilSys’s National ID. President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order mandating that the card be accepted by all government and commercial institutions.
Philippine Passport
Leaving your home country, especially if you’re from a developing nation, to travel to a developed one is no easy feat. Many Filipinos would have gone through diaspora in pursuit of better opportunities if leaving one country for good was as simple as hopping on a plane. This, of course, is not the situation.
In the actual world, all airline passengers must first undergo rigorous screening, with a passport being one of the few essential items typically required.
Once authenticated, a passport is a strong evidence in identifying a person because the screening process is rigorous due to careful adherence to laws and regulations. The Philippine Passport is widely regarded as the most advantageous form of identification due to its ten-year validity and meager cost (ranging between ₱950 to ₱1,200).
Though it may seem like at first, applying for a passport is not always like threading a needle. Only use the DFA’s website online to obtain new, personalized Philippine access.
It is recommended, however, that an appointment time be scheduled a few months ahead of the actual date of the application to avoid any unnecessary delay or difficulty.
Driver’s License
A valid driver’s license proves that an individual is qualified to operate a motor vehicle legally on public roads. A driver’s license from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) might be either a student, regular, or professional..
The Philippines, like the rest of the world, accepts a driver’s license as proof of a person’s real identity. A driver’s license is now required by law and has a 5-year validity duration, up from the previous 3-year period.
The cost of getting a driver’s license in the Philippines ranges from ₱318 to ₱920.
SSS UMID Card
The Unified Multi-purpose Identification card is issued by the SSS and serves as identification for four different government programs (SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, and PAG-IBIG) in the Philippines. Since a government-affiliated organization issues the UMID card, it is universally accepted as legal identification.
PhilHealth ID
To receive benefits, participants must present their PhilHealth ID. Obtaining a PhilHealth ID is a breeze compared to other government-issued IDs because of its streamlined application process. You can apply for your PhilHealth ID so long as you have two valid forms of identification, two 1×1 photographs of yourself, and two completed PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) copies.
TIN Card
Without a TIN card, no patriotic citizen will pay their fair share of taxes. Unlike other forms of identification, a TIN is genuinely one-of-a-kind for each taxpayer. Even though the application process for a TIN ID can be lengthy, it is possible to obtain one within one business day if the applicant is patient.
Postal ID
The Postal ID is not required for the claimant to pick up his shipment from a local post office. However, the Postal ID is an easy option for anyone seeking quick access to an ID due to its comparatively streamlined application process.
The following items can be presented to your local PHILPost branch to apply for a Postal ID:
- Two (2) copies of the Postal ID application form
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
Voter’s ID
The Commission on Elections should offer free voter identification cards to people of voting age who have previously cast ballots (COMELEC).
Voter ID production on a large scale takes months or even years to complete, despite appearances to the contrary. This is because validating the information of around 52 million voters is a time-consuming and complex operation, made more difficult by the complexity of the matching process.
PRC ID
The PRC maintains a registry of all professionals who have been granted permission to practice in the country, including medical physicians, engineers, architects, dentists, and many more. But it’s not easy to join their ranks of accomplished professionals.
You’ve accomplished something remarkable if you can call yourself a “licensed professional” and show off a PRC ID to prove it.
Senior Citizen ID
When they turn 60, all citizens are deemed “senior citizens” and entitled to special treatment, such as a discount of 10% to 20% on most goods and services.
However, not everybody who starts to have white or silver hair automatically assumes that they are old. Some sort of proof that this is the case is required.
The Municipal Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs is always available to anyone who fits the criteria for senior citizenship but lacks the required identification document. All it takes to apply is a visit.
OFW ID
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recommends that Filipinos who work abroad, known as Overseas Filipino Workers, get an OFW ID to make dealing with the government and financial institutions more accessible.
One need only visit the DOLE website, create an account, apply for an OFW ID, and select either in-person pickup or home delivery to complete the procedure.
OK, that’s all there is to it! Obtaining a number of these forms of acceptable identification at once isn’t a quick or straightforward process, but it will prove invaluable in the long run. There are times when you’ll need to confirm your identity in the Philippines by showing these documents.
Finally! Getting these IDs isn’t straightforward or quick, but having several will aid in the future. They’re often required as identification in the Philippines.
