Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cA
Quezon City 01 ©
01 JUL as \
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS = J |
. : =!
First Regular Session eo
bee

House Bill No. 489 i»

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. 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 Africa 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.

Kd G. hea

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic Of The Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session *

House BillNo, _ 489

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM FOR THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS, 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:

SECTIONI. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “National Identification Card
System (NICS) Act of 2013.”

Sec. 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.

See. 3. Qualifications for Issuance of the National Identification Card, — All persons
from the age of sixteen 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

ing in the Philippines for at least six months with the appropriate documentation as
required by law

Sec. 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;

¢.) Date of Birth;

d.) Sex;

¢.) Height and Weight;

£) Nationality; and

g,) Signature

Sec. 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.

See. 6. Application Form and Contents. ~ The Department of Justice (DOJ) 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

ued 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
cath, the information required for registration, or suffer the pain of prosecution for perjury.
Sec. 7. Functional Uses of the ID Card. ~ The ID 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;


) filing applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS) and the

PI

ippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);

©) tendering income tax payments to the Bureau of Intemal Revenue (BIR);

4) admission in any government hospital, health centers or similar institutions;

©) identification for admission in all schools, colleges, learning institutions and/or

universities, whether public or private;

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

g) other similar transactions or uses which may be defined by the DOJ in the

implementing rules and regulations.

See. 8. 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.

Sec. 9, 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,

Sec. 10. 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 (25,000.00) or an

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


Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Justice shall
promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act.

Sec. 12. 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.

Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. — Any provisions of law, presidential decree, executive
orders, rules and regulations contrary to the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.

Sec. 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

whichever comes earlier.

Approved.