Western Visayas logs 4.4 million PhilSys registrations

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — More than 4.4 million residents of Western Visayas have registered under the Philippine Identification System, with the region achieving more than 90% population coverage, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Preliminary data presented during the PSA Regional Statistical Services Office 6 Stakeholders’ Forum on National ID, Civil Registration, and Other PSA Services on July 28 showed that 4,425,419 individuals had completed PhilSys registration as of July 25.

The figure represents 91.02% of the region’s population based on the 2024 Census of Population and 90.08% of the projected 2026 population of 4,912,500.

Among the provinces in the region, Iloilo recorded the highest number of registrants at 2,345,202, accounting for more than half of Western Visayas’ total registrations.

Capiz followed with 745,701 registrants, Antique with 592,177, Aklan with 572,064, and Guimaras with 170,275.

The data also showed that the PSA had issued 1,898,291 electronic Philippine IDs, or ePhilIDs, across the region, equivalent to 42.9% of all registered individuals.

Meanwhile, 3,281,608 physical polycarbonate National ID cards had been delivered, representing 74.2% of total PhilSys registrations.

During the forum, PSA Registration Officer III Jared Xerxes Barile reiterated that all three official National ID formats — the physical polycarbonate card, the paper-format ePhilID with a QR code, and the Digital National ID accessible through the eGov PH application — are equally valid and should be accepted in all government and private-sector transactions.

Barile clarified that the paper-format ePhilID is not a temporary identification card, emphasizing that it carries the same legal validity and functionality as the physical National ID.

He also said the printing of polycarbonate cards remains on hold while the PSA finalizes its printing partner.

In the meantime, the agency continues to issue paper-format ePhilIDs and provide registrants with access to their Digital National IDs.

The PSA assured the public that all registered individuals will receive their physical National ID cards once card production resumes.

Residents with inquiries, requests for corrections, or other concerns regarding their National ID records are advised to visit the nearest PSA Fixed Registration Center for assistance.

PSA Fixed Registration Centers in Western Visayas are located in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo City.

The Iloilo City centers include the PSA main office on Iznart Street and the Government Service Express Center at SM City Iloilo.

PhilSys is the government’s national identification system established under Republic Act No. 11055 to provide Filipinos and resident aliens with a single, verifiable proof of identity for public and private transactions, financial inclusion, and easier access to government services.