Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 217

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“Red Tape” in the bureaucracy, or the delay in the processing of documents and
transactions, has always been the chief complaint of people about government offices. Time and
again we hear of stories from people who spent hours lining up and eventually getting frustrated
because of the lack of acceptable proof of identity. Or transactions get lost in the process due to a
lack of an efficient tracking system.

In other countries, the adoption of an Identification System has provided a useful tool in
minimizing, if not eradicating, bureaucratic red tape. Countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia,
Japan, Germany and South Aftica have shown that through an ID system, the problems
mentioned above were addressed.

In the United States, the Department of Motor Vehicle, which issues driver licenses, also
issues Identification Cards, which serve as valid and acceptable identification documents. Their
ID system has also helped in the enforcement of laws, such as the prohibition of the sale of
liquor to minors. Merchants are required to accept only the State-issued identification cards as
proof of age and identity.

This bill seeks to establish a similar identification system in the Philippines, with the aim
of reaping the same benefits as those countries mentioned have achieved — efficient delivery of
service and effective law enforcement.

In view of this, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ial fo

*presentative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 217

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM FOR THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND RIGHTS AND
CORRESPONDING OBLIGATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “National Identification Card
System (NICS) Act of 2001.”

SECTION 2. Establishment of the National Identification Card System in the
Philippines. - There shall be established a National Identification Card System (NICS) for
persons residing in the Republic of the Philippines. The National Identification Card (NIC)
issued shall serve as a valid proof of identity of the person indicated on the card.

SECTION 3. Qualifications for Issuance of the National Identification Card. — All
persons from the age of eighteen and above legally residing in the Philippines shall be qualified
to register for the NIC. Foreign nationals who wish to register for the NIC must be legally
staying in the Philippines for at least six months with the appropriate documentation as required
by law.

SECTION 4. The Identification Card. — Persons who register for the NIC shall be
issued an Identification Card with a permanent serial number, photograph and the following
personal data of the person registering:

a.) Full name

b.) Residence address

c.) Date of Birth

d.) Sex

e.) Height and Weight

£) Nationality

g.) Signature


SECTION 5. Registration. — Persons qualified to register for the NiC shall apply for
registration and issuance of an identification card at the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of the
municipality or city where he or she is located. No person shall be allowed to register for an NIC
more than once.

SECTION 6. Application Form and Contents. — The Department of Justice (DOS) shall
prepare the application forms for the National Identification Card System (NICS). Such
application form shall contain the name, age, date and place of birth, name of spouse, name of
parents, residence — both permanent and temporary, occupation, and such additional matters and
information as may be necessary and required by the DOJ. The application form shall call for the
presentation of a passport size photograph of the person to be registered and issued an
identification card which shall be attached to the Reference Card filed with the Office of the
Local Civil Registrar.

Every person registering for the issuance of an identification card shall submit, under
oath, the information required for registration, or suffer the pain of prosecution for perjury.

SECTION 5. Functional Uses of the ID Card. — The 1D card that will be issued shall be
presented and honored in transactions requiring the verification of the person's identity, such as,
but not limited to:

a) transactions with any government agency;

b) filing applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS) and the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);

©) tendering income tax payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
4) admission in any government hospital, health centers or similar institutions;

e) identification for admission in all schools, colleges, learning institutions and/or
universities, whether public or private: or

f) proof of identity, status, age and address;

g) other similar transactions or uses which may be defined by the DOJ in the
implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. Change of Personal Status and Residence. ~ Any person changing his
personal status or residence in one city or municipality to another shall inform the Local Civil
Registrar of the city or municipality of such proposed change or transfer of residence within
fifteen (15) days after such change in personal status or transfer to the new address.

SECTION 7. Penal Provisions. — Any person who applies for registration and issuance
of an identification card more than once shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand

pesos (#1,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the
court.

SECTION 8. Liability for Fraud. — Any person who files an application for the
registration and issuance of an identification card containing statements known to him to be false
or who procures or attempts to procure registration and issuance of an identification card other
than his own, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or an
imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Justice shall
promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.


SECTION 10. Appropriations. — The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
‘Act shall be charged to the budget of the Department of Justice as provided in the current
General Appropriations Act.

Thereafter, the necessary sum for the implementation of this Act shall be provided in
subsequent General Appropriations Acts.

SECTION 11, Repealing Clause. — Any provisions of law, presidential decree, executive
orders, rules and regulations contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. — ‘his Act shall take effect fifleen (15) days afler its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
whichever comes earlier.

Approved,