World Bank Calls for Hastening of PH National ID Rollout

The World Bank is promoting the Philippine government to accelerate the rollout of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). Faster issuance of the national ID will substantially help the government, especially in the delivery of social assistance. Yoonyoung Cho, World Bank senior economist at the Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice, also noted that the PhilSys will lead to better implementation of social assistance programs.

“I am aware that many people are waiting for the Phil-ID card but in fact, more than the card itself, the PhilSys number that contains key information is most important,” she explained. “The Philippine Statistics Authority should be expediting the use of mobile ID or QR codes without the physical card.” The PhilSys will, likewise, provide a database to better target beneficiaries in times of crisis, Cho added.

The World Bank economist elaborated that other countries that already had a national ID registry, coupled with digital mechanisms, delivered faster assistance during the global pandemic. This was not the case in the Philippines since the PhilSys was not yet in operation nor was there an immediate mechanism to identify vulnerable households.

Hence, the government’s COVID-19 social amelioration program was significantly delayed. “Prioritizing those in greatest need enhances fiscal efficiency, meaning greater impact for peso spent,” Cho furthered. Even more so, given the country’s exposure to disasters. She also highlighted the inefficiency of distributing food packs without a proper database. Instead, Cho recommends shifting to targeted cash transfers during a crisis.

The World Bank’s report titled “COVID-19 and Social Assistance in the Philippines: Lessons for Future Resilience” further supported this case. The report showed international evidence that the distribution of cash aid was less expensive, easily delivered, more transparent, and better targeted compared to food packs. Of course, this must also be paired with enhanced targeting and payment mechanisms.

Cho also said that the integration of digital payments and tools for social assistance will provide greater access and convenience for beneficiaries. “This does not mean that poor beneficiaries have to become internet experts,” she noted. “Rather, wherever feasible, the implementers use digital tools and platforms for swifter response.”

Moreover, streamlining contingency financing will better prepare the government’s response to disasters. “All of these will improve the efficiency and free up the resources and reduce the hassles from paperwork, enhance adaptiveness of social assistance response which will strengthen the program’s impact and improve citizens’ well-being,” concluded Cho.

Source: PhilStar