NATIONAL ID REGISTRATION. Barangay Baquero Sur in Moncada, Tarlac conducts Philippine Identification System registration on Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 19 and 20, 2021). The applicants will just wait for the delivery of their Philippine Identification cards. (Photo courtesy of Philsys Moncada Facebook) DAVAO CITY - The aim of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) to achieve financial inclusion for Filipinos who cannot access vital services due to lack of valid proof of identity is within reach. As of October 14, there are already 5,792,485 PhilSys registrants who applied for a Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) account, according to an October 20 post by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). "The opening of transaction accounts after Step 2 registration is free, voluntary, and part of the initiative of PSA and LandBank," the PSA post read. After finishing the Step 2 biometrics process (validation of supporting documents, iris scan, fingerprints, and photograph), registrants can present their Transaction Reference Number slips to open an account. LandBank booths are set up in select PhilSys registration centers nationwide. The Agent Banking Program allows customers without formal banking presence to enjoy lower transaction costs, improved access to financial services, and save on travel and related expenses. Agent Banking Cards are issued for free and without initial deposit. Card holders can do cash in and cash out, fund transfer, cashless, online, and bills payment transactions, and withdraw from Mastercard-accepting automated teller machines. As of September, more than 34 million Filipinos have already applied for a Philippine Identification (PhilID) card or the national ID. 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) }