Filipinos who want to open bank accounts may use their PhilID and ePhilID, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Saturday, amid questions on the benefits of registering with the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys of the government.

The PSA said 38 million PhilIDs were delivered and 41.6 million were printed and downloaded.

PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General maintained that PhilSys' colocation efforts with the Land Bank of the Philippines were recently cited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Financial inclusion tool

"As more registered persons receive their PhilID and ePhilID, we encourage them to use it in their transactions with financial institutions to gain access to financial services and products that can open opportunities for them," Mapa said.

"One of the aims of the PhilSys is financial inclusion among Filipinos. The PSA will continue its efforts to realize the aim," Mapa added.

The PSA, in partnership with BSP and the Philippine Postal Corporation, continues to expedite the printing and delivery of PhilIDs to registered persons nationwide.

Replacements of PhilIDs affected by the Manila Central Post Office fire last May 2023 were recently turned over to PHLPost for delivery, he said.

In addition, PSA personnel are also actively issuing ePhilIDs through plaza-type and house-to-house distribution.