The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) has begun its work to change the landscape of transactions by making them more convenient and secure for more Filipinos through its authentication services.

As a digital identification system, PhilSys moves past traditional ways of verifying identity such as handwritten signatures or identification cards that can easily be faked. Instead, identity verification is done by referring to the registered person’s unique demographic and biometric information in PhilSys.

PhilSys Check utilizes the unique digital signature embedded in the QR code feature at the back of the PhilID and ePhilID. Through PhilSys Check, the possibility of fraudulent transactions can be averted as results will show any of the following: (1) ‘PhilID or ePhilID has been verified’ if the QR code contains a valid digital signature; (2) ‘Deactivated card’ if the PhilID or ePhilID is not active; (3) ‘QR Code could not be read’ if it is damaged, tampered with, or not from the PhilID or ePhilID; and (4) ‘Please connect to the internet to verify the authenticity of PhilID/ePhilID’ if the website was used without an internet connection. The PhilSys Check can be accessed at verify.philsys.gov.ph using the web browser of a computer, laptop, or smartphone.

Moreover, select Civil Registry System outlets in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the Central Outlet in East Avenue, Quezon City, have implemented biometric authentication measures for PhilID and ePhilID holders requesting civil registry documents. This involves fingerprint scanning using biometric authentication devices for real-time matching with the PhilSys Registry.

With other authentication services in the pipeline, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) emphasizes that the most important components of PhilSys to establish one’s identity are the PhilSys Number (PSN) which is the permanent identification number of every registered person, along with their unique biometrics collected during registration.

“The PSA is steadfast in working on secure and dependable PhilSys authentication services for registered persons and relying parties. Our vision is that PhilSys and its authentication services will be on top of mind of our kababayans in their transactions in the coming years,” said PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General.

“The wider implementation of these authentication services will bring us closer to realizing the goal of PhilSys—seamless and targeted delivery of service, prevention of fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations, strengthening financial inclusion, and ease of doing business among many others,” he added.

The PSA also reiterates that the PhilSys adopts the privacy-by-design principle ensuring privacy is incorporated into its technologies from registration to authentication.

To enjoy the benefits of being PhilSys-registered, such as more secure transactions, the PSA continues to encourage more Filipinos to register at any registration center with the required documents. See the full list of registration centers and accepted supporting documents at https://philsys.gov.ph.

As of 05 January 2024, 83,108,610 Filipinos have successfully registered to PhilSys.