The Social Security System (SSS) is expected to launch its unified multi-purpose identification card by September or October this year.
The card was created to merge the ID systems of various government agencies such as the SSS, the National Statistics Office, the Government Service Insurance System, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). It will provide cost-saving benefits to the government and remove the burden associated with having numerous cards for different agencies.
Encrypted in the card will be information such as the individual's SSS number, tax identification number, PhilHealth number, voter's number, and all other information relevant to agencies of the government.
If everything pushes through as planned, the new ID can be used by voters in the upcoming 2010 national elections.
However, SSS President Romulo Neri made it clear that the unified card is not a national ID. "This is not a national ID, you need legislation for that. This is more of a convenient service card."
When questioned over the need of such a costly upgrade in a time of global economic uncertainty, SSS President Romulo Neri replied: "The idea is also to save money. At present, each agency spends about P200 per card. The more agencies, the more you must pay. A unified card will cut the cost considerably."
"We have a crisis every year. If we use that as an excuse, we'll never get anything done," he added
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