Following its announcement late last year, the Philippine Postal Corp. has started rolling out its new postal ID cards nationwide; plus there’s a bigger reason to apply for it now as it has been classified as acceptable with regards to requirements when getting a passport.
According to PHLPost, an initial 260 post offices are now digitally processing applications for the new “modernized” postal ID card which the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will now accept as a supporting document for passport applications. The offices have equipment for the digital capture of fingerprints, photos and signatures of ID applicants.
The new Postal ID is a wallet-sized PVC plastic card containing layers of digital security, and shows therein pertinent information on the bearer.
The latest upgraded postal ID is to totally replace the paper-based plastic laminated postal ID.
Postmaster-General Josefina dela Cruz has expressed being thankful that the Department of Foreign Affairs has included the Postal ID as one of their government-accredited identification cards.
She said, “PHLPost assured the public and other government agencies of the integrity and credibility of their now improved ID system,” adding that the new postal ID would be “more durable and presentable.”
Moreover, the new postal ID has security measures like fingerprint patterns and a quick response (QR) code on a magnetic stripe. On top of that, the new IDs do not have to be picked up, as PHLPost will deliver them to the applicants’ addresses.
The Business Lines Manager of PHLPost Eric Tagle said,”Postal IDs are helpful for many Filipinos who have a hard time getting transactions done, whether in applying for a job, loan or passport or encashing a check, because they lack a valid proof of identity and address.”
Applicants also do not need to have a special skill, qualification or employment, to apply for one; unlike the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, PRC license, SSS or GSIS card.
In addition, Tagle said that even among those who are employed, it makes sense to own a postal ID because of the usual requirements to show more than one valid government ID for important transactions.
PHLPost has set up 43 capture stations in Metro Manila, 143 in the rest of Luzon, 41 in Visayas and 33 in Mindanao to process the new IDs.
Requirements
Applicants should bring:
– original and photocopies of their birth certificates issued by the National Statistics Office or the local civil registrar
– proof of address, which can be a barangay clearance or a utility bill showing the applicant’s name and address.
– Married females must show their marriage certificate to validate their change of name, while minors need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Take note also that new postal IDs will cost P370 plus 12 percent value-added tax.
Postal ID application forms are available at post offices and may be downloaded from the PHLPost website.