The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras Provincial Statistical Office issued 1,764 printed electronic Philippine Identification (ePhilID) cards and 3,480 Digital National IDs in 2024.
PSA Guimaras Provincial Statistics Officer (PSO) Nelida B. Losare said the milestone is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) and ensure all registered individuals benefit from a secure and reliable national ID system.
Among Guimaras’ five municipalities, Jordan recorded the highest number of ePhilID releases at 1,044, followed by Nueva Valencia (224), San Lorenzo (210), Sibunag (175), and Buenavista (111).
The peak issuance months were April (328), March (324), and February (204), reflecting increased public awareness and acceptance of the ePhilID in the province.
Meanwhile, PSA Guimaras successfully issued 3,480 Digital National IDs as part of the government’s transition to a fully digital identification system.
PSO Losare explained that the ePhilID is a printed digital version of the PhilSys ID (PhilID) that enables registered individuals to access PhilSys services while waiting for their physical ID cards.
“Although printed on paper, the ePhilID is valid and must be recognized in all transactions requiring proof of identity,” Losare said. “It contains demographic information, a front-facing photograph, the PhilSys Card Number (PCN), date of issuance, and a QR code for authentication.”
PSA assures that all ePhilID recipients will still receive a physical National ID once their cards are produced.
ePhilID and Digital National ID: Valid and Secure
The printed ePhilID has the same functionality and legal validity as the physical PhilID and can be used for various transactions, including:
- Government services (SSS, PhilHealth, GSIS, etc.)
- Opening bank accounts and financial transactions
- Job applications
- Social welfare and benefits (DSWD, Pag-IBIG, etc.)
- Business and private sector transactions
To ensure wider recognition, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a memorandum directing all financial institutions to accept the printed ePhilID as valid identification.
While both serve as official digital versions of the National ID, the printed ePhilID and Digital National ID differ in format and accessibility:
- Printed ePhilID is a paper-based digital ID that must be physically claimed at designated PhilSys registration centers. It contains a QR code for authentication in government and private transactions.
- Digital National ID is a fully digital version of the PhilID stored on mobile devices and accessed through the eGovPH app or PhilSys online portal. It also has a QR code for verification and serves the same function as the printed ePhilID.
Both IDs hold the same legal validity as the physical PhilID.
Digital National ID: A Step Toward Paperless Transactions
The 3,480 Digital National IDs released in 2024 are part of PSA’s digital transformation initiative, providing Filipinos with a secure and easy-to-use digital identification system.
The Digital National ID offers:
- Secure authentication via QR code
- Easy mobile access through smartphones and tablets
- Enhanced security measures against fraud
To download the Digital National ID, registered individuals can visit:
- PhilSys official website
- eGovPH app
The Digital National ID simplifies transactions for:
- Government services (DFA, LTO, BIR, etc.)
- Banking and financial transactions
- Employment applications and educational institutions
- Business and commercial dealings
How to Verify and Claim Your Digital ID
PSO Losare emphasized PSA Guimaras’ commitment to promoting a secure and accessible digital identification system.
“Transitioning to a digital identification system is crucial in enhancing public service efficiency. The ePhilID and Digital National ID serve as valid and secure identification tools that provide convenience while maintaining security standards,” Losare said.
To verify the authenticity of both IDs, users can scan the QR code through PhilSys Check at https://verify.philsys.gov.ph.
They can claim or download their printed ePhilID through https://appt.philsys.gov.ph by entering their Transaction Reference Number (TRN) from Step 2 Registration, and setting an appointment at the nearest PhilSys registration center.
Digital National ID can also be downloaded through https://national-id.gov.ph or from the eGovPH app.
PSA Guimaras remains committed to ensuring efficient ID issuance and urges all registered individuals to claim or download their IDs for a secure, accessible, and hassle-free identification system.