PSA Guimaras educates students, teachers about PhilSys

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The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras Provincial Statistical Office conducted a symposium to boost awareness and educate the teachers and grade schoolers from 18 schools on the operation, laws and regulations, and status or updates of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) in the Island Province.

The symposium was made possible in partnership with Jordan-Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) back-to-back with their activity entitled Basic First Aid Advocacy Session to student Cum Simex with a theme “Batang maasahan, First Aider ng eskwelahan in February 2023.”

“The activity formed part of the Information Awareness Campaign of PhilSys Guimaras, a way that gives individuals an idea of what is PhilSys Act 11055 and its purpose. It also helps to lessen grievances and feedback that might cause a negative impact on others, especially among those who lack information about PhilSys,” Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare said.

Losare also cited that the discussion in 18 schools started with the PhilSys Overview, informing the students and teachers about Republic Act No. 11055, also known as the “Philippine Identification System Act,” which aims to establish a single national identification system to: provide a valid proof of identity for all Filipino Citizens and Resident Aliens and eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and private sector.

“Participants were informed of the PhilSys’ various steps to follow in the registration process, and the list of accepted documents to comply for registration,” Losare said.

PhilSys Guimaras also discussed the Executive Order No. 162 Series of 2022, in which section 3 dictates the acceptance of PhilSys components in all government and private transactions, that unless otherwise provided by law, the presentation of the PhilID as authenticated, shall be sufficient proof of identification, without the need for presenting other identification documents.

The PhilID may be presented in lieu of a birth certificate for transactions that require individuals to establish their age such as for school enrollment or bank account opening.

“PhiSys Guimaras also expounded that Section 4 of EO 162 mandates the PhilSys Integration in Citizen’s Charters and Private Sector Requirements. All covered agencies are directed to amend their respective Citizen’s Charters to integrate the PhilID among identification requirements. Private sector entities are enjoined to inform the public about policies and guidelines on the uses of the PhilID in their respective identification requirements,” Losare said.

“Memorandum Circular 95 Series of 2022 which highlighted that all government agencies, offices, instrumentalities, as well as LGUs, to prepare for the implementation of the PhilSys and its integration into the government processes, databases, systems, and services, was also explained,” she added.

The following schools were the recipients of the IEC campaign:  Alaguisoc Elementary School, Espinosa Elementary School, Manuel Maravilla Memorial School, Morobuan Elementary School, Balcon Melliza Elementary School, Jordan Central School, Don Pedro Memorial School, Sta. Teresa Elementary School, Hoskyn Elementary School, Sinapsapan Elementary School, TVS of Sta. Teresa Elementary School, Lawi Elementary School, Saint Joseph School, Buluangan Elementary School, Guimaras Baptist Academy, Agape Dream Christian Academy, Bugnay Elementary School, Cresente P. Chavez Central School, Jordan National High School & Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy.

Only selected students and teachers joined the activity, which started on February 13, 2023, and lasted on February 28, 2023. Other resource speakers came from partner agencies like MADAC, PNP, and MCRO.

Eighteen (18) out of 20 scheduled schools in the Municipality of Jordan were participated in by PSA PhilSys in partnership with the MCRO civil registration information dissemination activity.

“Apart from imparting knowledge about PhilSys, the PSA also gave a pack of school supplies and a hygiene kit as prizes for their Trivia questions. Likewise, to give more detailed information, the PSA also distributed PhilSys flyers and Infographics on Vital Statistics to the participants,” Losare said.