PSA Aklan brings National ID registration to remote Libacao

LIBACAO, Aklan — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Aklan Provincial Statistical Office brought National ID registration services to Sitio Taroytoy, Barangay Manika, one of the most remote communities in Libacao, on Oct. 14, 2026, as part of its commitment to inclusive registration under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

A total of 36 individuals were registered in the National ID system, including 19 children ages 0 to 4 and 17 individuals ages 5 and older.

Aside from registration, the National ID team generated and printed electronic Philippine Identification (ePhilID) cards for eligible individuals and addressed residents’ concerns about errors in their National IDs.

According to Peter S. Mangilog, officer-in-charge chief statistical specialist of PSA-Aklan, bringing National ID registration services to underserved communities such as Sitio Taroytoy reflects the agency’s goal of ensuring that everyone has access to valid proof of identity, regardless of location, ethnicity or social status.

“By registering and providing National ID to these disadvantaged individuals, it paves the way for them to have better access to government interventions to enhance their socio-economic well-being,” Mangilog said.

Under Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, the PSA is mandated to conduct mobile registration activities to reach residents in remote communities and provide special arrangements for minors and other vulnerable groups.

For children younger than 5, the registration process requires demographic information and a front-facing photograph, with additional biometric information to be collected when they reach age 5.

Meanwhile, Char Felizardo, registration kit operator who spearheaded the activity, shared the challenges of reaching the village because of its mountainous terrain and remote location but expressed satisfaction with delivering the service to one of the province’s hard-to-reach communities.

“Seeing the villagers happily registered in the National ID system and receiving their ePhilID made all the exhaustion worthwhile. Knowing that we are able to bring services closer to them and provide access that could help improve their lives made the journey meaningful,” Felizardo said.

Residents expressed gratitude for the service, which spared them the difficulty of traveling to a registration center to enroll in PhilSys.

The activity was made possible through a partnership among the 82nd Infantry (Bantay Laya) Battalion, the provincial government of Aklan, the municipal government of Libacao, and other government agencies and stakeholders.