NATIONAL ID SIGN-UP. Residents of Barangay Masara in Maco, Davao de Oro and nearby villages register for the Philippine Identification card on Oct. 18, 2020. Members of the Davao de Oro Provincial Police provided assistance for an orderly registration process. (Photo courtesy of Davao de Oro PPO) DAVAO CITY - Residents of Barangay Masara and nearby areas in Maco, Davao de Oro participated in a recent Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) registration held at the village gymnasium. The Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) of Maco Cluster 16 team, led by Master Sgt. Henry Estimada, and Col. Leonard Luna, acting provincial director, assisted in the mobile registration on October 18. In a statement, PhilSys registration team supervisor Erwin Cuizon said residents of all ages signed up while the R-PSB team assisted and ensured the smooth flow of the activity. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), chief implementer of Philsys, had said the national ID system would reduce costs, streamline transactions, and provide ease and convenience. "Individuals can use the Philippine Identification card as an official document that will be honored in both government and private transactions," the PSA said in a previous statement. "It may also be used to identify voters, schools, and employees, as well as to avail of senior citizens' benefits. It may also be used in courts, for police clearances, and transactions with banking and financial institutions." More than 34 million Filipinos have signed up for the national ID as of September. The Land Bank of the Philippines also reported on October 20 that at least 5.7 million have opened bank accounts at their booths in select registration centers, some using just the Transaction Reference Number as accompanying document. Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens. The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts. It also seeks to boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA) }