PSA warns public vs unauthorized printing of national IDs on PVC

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Negros Occidental has issued a warning to the public against the unauthorized reproduction of digital national identification cards (IDs) on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cards.

The warning follows reports of widespread unauthorized printing of national IDs on PVC cards in the province, which has prompted the PSA to take action.

In a press release dated August 9, John Campomanes, chief statistical specialist, emphasized that printing digital national IDs without authorization is strictly prohibited and renders the resulting documents invalid.

Campomanes warned that individuals caught reproducing or issuing national IDs without PSA authorization are subject to penalties under Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys).

Offenders may face three to six years of imprisonment and fines ranging from P1 million to P3 million.

The PSA urged the public to support efforts to eliminate this illegal activity for the safety of all residents in Negros Occidental.

They encouraged anyone with information on such activities to report it to the Provincial Statistical Office.

The PSA also strongly advised organizations—including local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, academic institutions, and private and financial sectors—not to accept digital national IDs printed on PVC cards as valid proof of identity or age in any transactions.

The only acceptable formats of the national ID are the screenshot or downloaded file of the digital national ID, the national ID in paper form, and the physical national ID cards printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and delivered by the official national ID service provider.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Rowena Jean Magan, assistant public information officer of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said they have not received any reports on the issue but are prepared to handle complaints or reports related to the matter.