PSA, DICT, GCash launch national ID eVerify pilot

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In a significant move to boost financial inclusion and digitalization in the Philippines, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have partnered with GCash to pilot the National ID eVerify platform.

The initiative, launched on June 10, aims to provide a secure and seamless method for government agencies and private sector partners to authenticate customer identities.

The National ID eVerify platform is designed to streamline the know-your-customer (KYC) process for financial institutions like GCash, enabling a faster and more secure verification method. This will allow individuals to reduce the number of physical documents required and expedite the account opening process.

“At GCash, trust and security are at the core of our work for our customers. When we secure our services through a centralized authentication process, we can ensure the legitimacy of all our users through the National ID. We are better positioned to foster financial inclusion for more Filipinos when we have safer financial platforms,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of GCash mobile wallet operator, G-Xchange, Inc.

Reyes also highlighted the importance of this partnership in enhancing user experience and contributing to the government’s digitalization efforts.

“This opportunity to continue working with the PSA and the DICT not only allows us to improve the user experience further but also contributes to the Philippine government’s digitalization agenda.”

The PSA’s Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) issues IDs such as PhilIDs and ePhilIDs, which are already among the most commonly presented valid IDs for GCash account verification.

The integration of the National ID eVerify platform is expected to further reduce document fraud and ensure the authenticity of civil registry documents.

National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the PSA, Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, reiterated the PSA’s commitment to registering all Filipinos within the National ID system.

“The Philippine Statistics Authority remains steadfast in its goal to register all Filipinos within the National ID system ensuring our unwavering commitment to providing a unified National identification system to all our kababayans.”

David Almirol Jr., Undersecretary for e-Government at the DICT, emphasized the broader impact of this initiative on government efficiency and public service delivery.

“The National eVerify will streamline and improve the way we do things in the government. This will amplify and simplify private and government consumption. If we are able to implement this well with the help of both the private and government sectors, the digital transformation in the Philippines will come to fruition.”

Frederick D. Go, Secretary and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA), noted that this initiative marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at assisting the most vulnerable communities in the country.

“The digital National ID is a beacon of hope – a reminder that even the most ambitious dreams can become reality when we work together towards a common goal.”

Currently, GCash is closely collaborating with the PSA and the DICT to ensure the seamless integration of the eVerify platform, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing financial security and digital inclusion across the nation.