ENTH GONGWSS OF THE WEP 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
s 
Senate 
e 
The demands of modern society liave 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 €or a person to remember all these different 
rnultiple digit codes and to compound 011e’s misery some of these numbers 
need to be changed eveiy so ofceii. A person is thus forced to carry several 
different cards or docmnents which really serve one purpose, Le., to 
establish one’s identity. 
By providing one single code to each and every citizen of the 
Philippilies at birth and a reference card carrying their number, arnong 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 govemnent as well as with private entities. Experience tells us 
of the constant delays and inconveniences the public has to sud%er in availiiig 
of basic public services and social security benefits because of inefficient 
and not too reliable means of identification of the beneficiaries. 
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Moreover, the quantum leaps in the tides of crjlninality and the 
continuing challenge of terrorism Iias 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 
coimnitted violations of the law. 
f 
Many countries, hicludhg those with democratic form of govemneiit 
has a national reference system. Identity cards are in use, in one form or 
another in nu~lerous countries around the world. The type of card, its 
hction, 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, tlautnb print, full name and parents’ 
names, national status and a .serial number. The German ‘Per~onalausweis’~ 
is a plastic card which contains, on the front side, name, date and place of 


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birth, natioiiality, date of expiration, signature aid photo. The Italians have a 
larger format containing identity number, name, photo, signature, 
fiigerprint, date and place o€ birth, citizenshp, residency, address, marital 
status, profession and physical characteristics. 
'This proposed measure eiideavors to reconcile the need for an 
adequate identification system that will effectively respond to the problem of 
ciimiiiality in our land arid 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 md preservation of the privacy and 
confidentiality of personal data / 011 the other hand. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, early passage of this measure 
is earnestly sought. 
PA 
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Introduced by Se 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL REFEWNCE CARD SYSTEM AND CREATING 
THEREFORE THE NATIONAL REGISTRATION COORDINATING COMMISSION 
Be it ericrcted by the Senate mid the House of Repeseniadves of the Philippines in 
Corgress Assenililed: 
, 
SECTION 1. Short TztZe. 
This Act shall be known and cited as the “National 
Reference Card System Act of 2004”. 
SECTION 2. Declcrratioii ofPolicy. - It is hereby a declared policy of the state 
to 
improve and uplifi public service in the country by promoting and facilitating 
legitimate transactions with government ofices 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 . 
SEGTlON 3. lkgistnrtiori 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 Natiomls. - Citizens or nationals of foreign countries 
residing in the Philippines shall likewise be assigned a Ref&ence Number and issued a 
National Reference Card at reasonable cost and in the manner prescribed by the 
I 
Commission. 


An accredited official of a foreign government recognized by the Republic of the 
Philippines, or member of hidher official staff and family, shall not be required to have 
an idcntification card contemplated utider this Act. 
SEC'i'lQN 5 .  7he N d h d  J!~fcre~icc 
C2nrd. - The National Reference Card shall 
be tamper-proof security paper encapsulated in thermally bonded lamination card with a 
laser-vision system imprinted photograph and thumbmarks. 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 Cornmission 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 $1 such systems into this National Reference 
Card. 
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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 
o f  an individuals' personal data are protected from unwarranted and unauthorized access. 
Such safeguards shall as a minimum include the following: 
e' 
a. 
The Commission shall limit the number of person or persons who can 
have an access to the datalapplications on card which they are authorized 
to access; 
b. 
Card will be protected by advanced security features and cryptographic 
technology; 
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; 
There will be a. stringent system of access control, including passwords, 
different levels of access and audit trails; 
c. 
d. 


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. 
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SECTION 6. P ~ r p ~ ~ s e -  
The 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. 
b. 
C. 
d. 
e. 
f. 
g. 
h. 
1. 
j. 
k. 
8’ 
Payment of SSS and GSIS benefits; 
Application for driver’s license, passport, marriage license, death 
certificate, NB1 and Police clearances, and business permits; 
Availment of Medicare Services in I-lospitals; 
Application for worWemployment; 
Pre-requisite for voter’s ID; 
Opening bank accounts; 
Encashrnent, etc. of checks; 
Applications for loasis, credit cards, water, power, telephone, pagers etc.; 
Purchase of stocks; 
Insurance claims; 
Receipts of payments, checks, letters, valuables, etc. 
Failure of an individual to show without any reasonable or justifiable cause 
hidher National Identification Card when transacting business with the government or 
with 
private entities shall not be a ground to deny or limit himher 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. 
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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 


7 
Commission through the Local Civil Registrar of such proposed transfer within ten (10) 
days aAer such transfm to the new address 
SECTION 8, Ndiorral Rcgisfiuticm Coordirmfitg- Cummissiori. - The National 
Rcgistrntion Coordinating Commission is hcreby created t$ be composed of a 
Chairperson and three commissioners to bc 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 portion 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 
departments/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. Prohibitioris. - The penalty of imprisonment from six (6) months 
I 
and one (1) day to six (6) years shall be imposed upon any offender found guilty of the 
following acts or omissions: 
I 
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; 
The unauthorized printing, preparation or issuance of a National Reference 
8' 
b. 
Card by any person; 
c. 
Willful falsification, mutilation, alteration of or tampering with the 
National reference Card by any person; 
I 


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. 
Thc willfid transfer of the National Reference Card or the Reference 
Number to any other person; 
f. 
Willfbl failure to apply for and secure a National Reference Card as 
prescribed by the Commission. 
SECTION 12. I<e)isaZ fo Accept- Any person who shall willfblly 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. Il)isclixure. - Any p,erson 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 
Y 
than six (6) months or both, at the discretion of the court. 
SECTION 14 Ajyroprinfio~. - Such sums as may be necessary to carry out the 
purpose of this Act is hereby appropriated out of the hnds of the National Treasury. 
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SECTION 15. .Infomalion Cunpaign. - 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 CZa24se. - All laws, orders, rules or regulations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed and/or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 17. Efleclivify Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,