FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
'11 
MAR 31 
P5:19 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2774 
Introduced by SENATOR LACSON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The demands of modern society have made governments to identify 
their citizens systematically. This is seen in everyday life in such form as 
GSIS or SSS numbers, tax identification numbers, student numbers and 
passport numbers. It is rare for a person to remember all these different 
multiple digit codes and to compound one's misery some of these numbers 
need to be changed every so often. A person is thus forced to carry several 
different cards or documents which really serve one purpose, i.e., to 
establish one's identity. 
By providing one single code to each and every citizen of the 
Philippines at birth and a reference card carrying their number, among other 
information at an age when a person may begin to actively participate in 
society - we not only help a person integrate himself into our society, but we 
also simplify any transaction that the person may have with the various 
agencies of government as well as with private entities. Experience tells us 
of the constant delays and inconveniences the public has to suffer in availing 
of basic public services and social security benefits because of inefficient 
and not too reliable means of identification of the beneficiaries. 
Moreover, the quantum leaps in the tides of criminality and the 
continuing challenge of terrorism has rendered the need for a national 
identification system urgent. In the context of efforts to fight criminality, 
terrorism and lawlessness, the proposed national reference card shall help 
facilitate the processes of apprehension and prosecution of those who have 
committed violations of the law. 
Many countries, including those with democratic form of government 
has a national reference system. Identity cards are in use, in one form or 
another in numerous countries around the world. The type of card, its 
function, and its integrity vary enormously. In Brazil, for example, all 
residents are obliged to carry at all times a plasticated flexible card the size 
of a credit card bearing a photograph, thumb print, full name and parents' 
names, national status and a serial number. The German 'Personalausweis" 
is a plastic card which contains, on the front side, name, date and place of 
birth, nationality, date of expiration, signature aid photo. The Italians have a 


larger format contammg identity number, name, photo, signature, 
fingerprint, date and place of birth, citizenship, residency, address, marital 
status, profession and physical characteristics. 
This proposed measure endeavors to reconcile the need for an 
adequate identification system that will effectively respond to the problem of 
criminality in our land and the need to provide Filipino citizens and foreign 
nationals with the facility to conveniently transact business on one hand, and 
the demand for the protection and preservation of the privacy and 
confidentiality of personal data on the other hand. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, early passage of this measure 
is earnestly sought. 
PAN~~ACSON 
V Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
'11 
MAR 31 
P5:19 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2774 
Introduced by SENATOR LACSON 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL REFERENCE CARD SYSTEM AND 
CREATING THEREFORE THE NATIONAL REGISTRATION 
COORDINATING COMMISSION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the 
"National Reference Card System Act of2011". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby a declared policy of 
the state to improve and uplift public service in the country by promoting 
and facilitating legitimate transactions with government offices as well as 
with private and business entities. It is likewise an imperative policy to 
strengthen government's capabilities to suppress and prevent criminality 
through measures that will help facilitate the processes of investigation, 
apprehension and prosecution of those who have committed violations of the 
law. 
SECTION 3. Registration of Persons. - All citizens of the Republic 
of the Philippines shall be assigned a Reference Number upon birth and 
issued a National Reference Card at age eighteen (18) free of charge and in a 
manner prescribed by the National Registration Coordinating Commission, 
hereinafter referred to as the Commission. 
SECTION 4. Foreign Nationals. - Citizens or nationals of foreign 
countries residing in the Philippines shall likewise be assigned a Reference 
Number and issued a National Reference Card at reasonable cost and in the 
manner prescribed by the Commission. 
An accredited official of a foreign government recognized by the 
Republic of the Philippines, or member of his/her official staff and family, 
shall not be required to have an identification card contemplated under this 
Act. 
SECTION 5. The National Reference Card. -
The National 
Reference Card shall be tamper-proof security paper encapsulated in 


thermally bonded lamination card with a laser-vision system imprinted 
photograph and thumb marks. It shall have on its face the name, address, 
blood type, and next of kin of the owner. A data strip shall contain the 
reference number and other confidential data required by the- Commission. 
The Commission shall within one (1) year from the approval of this 
Act coordinate with other· . government agencies that issue similar 
identification numbers for varied purposes in order to consolidate all such 
systems into this National Reference Card. 
The Commission shall likewise establish the standards in the use of 
Biometrics technology and in computer application designs of the system. 
Provided, That necessary measures shall be taken to ensure that the privacy, 
confidentiality, integrity and accuracy of an individuals' personal data are 
protected from unwarranted and unauthorized access. Such safeguards shall 
as a minimum include the following: 
a. The Commission shall limit the number of person or persons who 
can have an access to the data applications on card which they are 
authorized to access; 
b. Card will be protected by advanced security features and 
cryptographic technology; 
c. Ensure that only minimal data shall be held in the ID card while 
more sensitive and confidential data shall be stored in back-end 
computer systems; 
d. There will be a stringent system of access control, including 
passwords, different levels of access and audit trails; 
e. That the holder/possessor shall be provided with the means to 
access, print and interpret the data on their cards and their 
application data in the application databases, and if relevant, 
request for correction. 
An individual reference number and national reference card is non-
transferable and shall not be assigned to any other individual even after the 
death of its holder/possessor. 
SECTION 6. Purpose. National Reference Card shall serve as the 
only official identification of the person to whom it is issued and shall be 
valid and accepted for all legal intents and purpose which shall include but 
shall not be limited to the following: 
a. 
Payment of SSS and GSIS benefits; 
b. 
Application for driver's license, passport, marriage license, 
death certificate, NB I and Police clearances, and business 
permits; 
c. 
Availment of Medicare Services in Hospitals; 
d. 
Application for work/employment; 
e. 
Pre-requisite for voter's ID; 
f. 
Opening bank accounts; 
g. 
Encashment, etc. of checks; 


h. 
Applications for loans, credit cards, water, power, telephone, 
pagers etc.; 
1. 
Purchase of stocks; 
J. 
Insurance claims; 
k. 
Receipts of payments, checks, letters, valuables, etc. 
Failure of an individual to show without any reasonable or justifiable 
cause his/her National Identification Card when transacting business with 
the government or with private entities shall not be a ground to deny or limit 
him/her of the basic government and private services as long as he is 
qualified under existing laws but he/she will be SUbjected to the usual rigid 
identification and verification procedure. 
SECTION 7. Transfer of Residence. - Any person who transfers 
residence within a city or municipality or from one city or municipality to 
another shall inform the Commission through the Local Civil Registrar of 
such proposed transfer within ten (10) days are such transfer to the new 
address. 
SECTION 8. National Registration Coordinating Commission. - The 
National Registration Coordinating Commission is hereby created to be 
composed of a Chairperson and three commissioners to be appointed by the 
President for a fix term of seven (7) years without re-appointment. In case of 
vacancy, the commissioner appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for 
the unexpired pOliion of such term. The Commission shall act as a collegial 
body and shall promulgate the rules and regulations governing the 
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its creation. 
SECTION 9. Privileges. - The Chairperson shall be in charge of the 
administration of the Commission. He shall preside over the meetings of the 
Commission. The Chairperson and the Commissioners shall receive a salary 
equivalent to that of an Undersecretary and Assistant Secretary respectively. 
SECTION 10. Assistance. - The Commission shall call upon all 
depmiments/agencies/organizations to help, assist, and cooperate and such 
departments/agencies/organizations are mandated to help, assist, and 
cooperate with the Commission in the implementation of the provisions of 
this Act and the effective execution of its tasks as provided for in this Act. 
SECTION 11. Prohibitions. - The penalty of imprisonment from six 
(6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years shall be imposed upon any 
offender found guilty ofthe following acts or omissions: 
a. The willful submission of or causing to be submitted a fictitious 
name and other false data in the application form for a National 
Reference Card by any person; 
b. The unauthorized printing, preparation or issuance of a National 
Reference Card by any person; 


c. Willful falsification, mutilation, alteration of or tampering with the 
National reference Card by any person; 
d. The use or unauthorized possession of a National Reference Card 
without any reasonable excuse by any person other than the one to 
whom it was issued or the possession of a fake, falsified or altered 
National Reference Card; 
e. The willful transfer of the National Reference Card or the 
Reference Number to any other person; 
f. Willful failure to apply for and secure a National Reference Card 
as prescribed by the Commission. 
SECTION 12. Refusal to Accept. - Any person who shall willfuly 
refuse to accept, acknowledge and/or recognize the National Reference Card 
as the only official identification of the holder/possessor thereof shall be 
liable to a penalty of a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos 
(P20,OOO). 
SECTION 13. Disclosure. - Any person who shall willfully use or 
disclose data or information furnished by an individual pursuant to this Act 
shall be liable to a penalty of a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,OOO) or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or both, at the 
discretion of the court. 
SECTION 14. Appropriation. - Such sum as may be necessary to 
carry out the purpose of this Act is hereby appropriated out of the hands of 
the National Treasury. 
SECTION 15 .. Information Campaign. - Within three (3) months 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall undertake an extensive 
information campaign to explain the implementation of the Act to all 
citizens and resident aliens in the country. 
SECTION 16. Repealing Close. - All laws, orders, rules or 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed and/or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its 
approval. 
Approved,