Requiring All Government Agencies and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations to Streamline and Harmonize their Identification (ID) Systems, and Authorizing for such purpose the Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority to Implement the same, and for other purposes

MALACAÑANG
Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 420 April 13, 2005

REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS TO STREAMLINE AND HARMONIZE THEIR IDENTIFICATION (ID) SYSTEMS, AND AUTHORIZING FOR SUCH PURPOSE THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE SAME, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, good governance is a major thrust of this Administration;

WHEREAS, the existing multiple identification systems in government have created unnecessary and costly redundancies and higher costs to government, while making it inconvenient for individuals to be holding several identification cards;

WHEREAS, there is urgent need to streamline and integrate the processes and issuance of identification cards in government to reduce costs and to provide greater convenience for those transacting business with government;

WHEREAS, a unified identification system will facilitate private businesses, enhance the integrity and reliability of government-issued identification cards in private transactions, and prevent violations of laws involving false names and identifications.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the power...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 420

Adoption of a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (ID) System for Government
- All government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations are directed to adopt a unified multi-purpose ID system to achieve the following objectives (Section 1):
    - Reduce costs and financial burden from using multiple ID cards and maintaining redundant databases.
    - Ensure greater convenience for those transacting with the government.
    - Facilitate private businesses and promote wider use of the unified ID card.
    - Enhance integrity and reliability of government-issued ID cards.
    - Facilitate access to and delivery of quality and effective government services.

Coverage (Section 2)
- All government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations issuing ID cards to their members or constituents.

Data Requirement for the Unified ID System (Section 3)
- The data to be collected and recorded shall be limited to:
    - Name, home address, sex, picture, signature, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, name of parents, height, weight, two index fingers and two thumbmarks, any prominent distinguishing features, and Tax Identification Number (TIN).
    - A corresponding ID number issued by the participating agency and a common reference number shall form part of the stored ID data.
    - At least the first five items listed above, including the print of the right thumbmark or any fingerprint, shall appear on the face or back of the ID card for visual verification.

Authority and Functions of the Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority (Sections 4 and 5)
- The Director-General is authorized to streamline and harmonize all government ID systems.
- Functions and responsibilities include:
    - Adopt a unified government ID system within 60 days from the effectivity of this order, containing only the data and features indicated in Section 3 (Section 5a).
    - Enter into agreements with local governments, COMELEC, and other government branches or instrumentalities to ensure government-wide adoption and support (Section 5b).
    - Call on any other government agency or institution, or create sub-committees or technical working groups, to provide necessary assistance (Section 5c).
    - Promulgate necessary rules and regulations in pursuance of the objectives of this order (Section 5d).

Safeguards (Section 6)
- The Director-General and pertinent agencies shall adopt safeguards to ensure the right to privacy takes precedence over efficient public service delivery, including:
    - Data recorded and stored shall be limited to those specified in Section 3 and used only for establishing identity (Section 6a).
    - Collection or compilation of other data in violation of a person's right to privacy shall not be allowed (Section 6b).
    - Stringent systems of access control to data shall be instituted (Section 6c).
    - Data collected and stored shall be kept and treated as strictly confidential, and a personal or written authorization of the owner shall be required for access and disclosure (Section 6d).
    - The identification card shall be protected by advanced security features and cryptographic technology (Section 6e).
    - A written request by the owner shall be required for any correction or revision of relevant data (Section 6f).

Funding (Section 7)
- Funds as recommended by the Department of Budget and Management shall be provided to carry out the objectives of this order.

Repealing Clause (Section 8)
- All executive orders or issuances, or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with this order, are revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 9)
- This executive order shall take effect 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation.