Unified Multi-Purpose ID explained

Document Name:Unified Multi-Purpose ID
Date First Issued:2010
Using Jurisdiction: Philippines
Document Type:Identity document
Purpose:Identification
Eligibility:Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Home Development Mutual Fund membership
Cost:Free of charge[1]
United Multi-Purpose ID

The Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) is a Philippine identity card that was introduced in 2010.[2] The card was developed as a single card for the relations between several government-related agencies. The agency responsible for implementation is the Social Security System (SSS), and also the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Pag-IBIG Fund (Home Development Mutual Fund) use the card.[3] The card was also suggested to be used as a voter ID.[4]

History

As part of the efforts of the Philippine government to establish a national identification document aimed at streamlining the identification systems of government agencies, a series of executive orders were enacted: Executive No. 420 signed on April 13, 2005 which institutionalized the UMID system,[5] [6] and Executive Order No. 700 signed on January 16, 2008 which directed the Social Security System to facilitate the ID systems of all government agencies and GOCCs.[7] [6]

Physical appearance

The card features the text "Republic of the Philippines, Unified Multi-Purpose ID" on the top. Information fields on the front include:[4] [8]

The card also contains a picture of the bearer's face, signature and common reference number (CRN) or SSS number on the front.

Until 2016, the back side featured the seals of the SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and GSIS.

Controversy

In 2006, Kilusang Mayo Uno filed a case at the Supreme Court assailing the constitutionality of Executive Order (EO) 420, the legislation that mandated the creation of the UMID issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on the grounds that it allegedly usurped legislative functions by the executive branch of government by, among others, using public funds not appropriated by Congress, and that it violated constitutional provisions on the right to privacy by Filipinos.

The Supreme Court denied their petition. It held that EO 420 did not require special appropriation because the existing ID card systems of government entities covered by EO 420 already have the proper appropriation or funding. It also did not apply to all branches of government and the act of getting one is not compulsory on all citizens. Therefore, it held, that EO 420 did not establish a national ID system in the Philippines. Additionally, the Court said, "If government entities under the Executive department decide to unify their existing ID data collection and ID card issuance systems to achieve savings, efficiency, compatibility and convenience, such act does not involve the exercise of any legislative power."

As regards the people's right to privacy, the Court held that such right does not bar the adoption of reasonable ID systems by government entities. It noted that "the GSIS, SSS, LTO, Philhealth and other government entities have been issuing ID cards in the performance of their governmental functions" and there have been no complaints from the public that these entities violate their right to privacy. It also mentioned that EO 420 authorizes the collection and recording of only 14 specific data while prior to its issuance, government agencies had a free hand to determine the kind, nature and extent of data to be collected and stored for their ID systems. Furthermore, the Court held that EO 420 contains provisions that institute safeguards to protect the collected data's confidentiality.[9]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The UMID card. Philippine Social Security System. Social Security System (Philippines). Facebook. January 27, 2017. July 29, 2019.
  2. News: Multi-use ID card now ready. Katlene. Cacho. March 25, 2010. SunStar. July 29, 2019.
  3. Web site: Unified multi-purpose ID system set for January launch: SSS head . September 23, 2009 . September 27, 2010 . Sun.Star News.
  4. Web site: Multi-purpose ID to possibly also serve as voter's ID . August 5, 2010 . September 27, 2010 . GMA News.
  5. 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 Same, and For Other Purposes. EO. 420. 2005. April 13, 2005. Official Gazette of the Philippines. July 29, 2019.
  6. Web site: How to apply for UMID card (Unified Multi-Purpose ID card). March 25, 2015. iWeb.ph. July 29, 2019.
  7. Identifying the Social Security Identification System as the Core of the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (ID) System and Directing the Social Security System to Implement the Streamlining and Harmonization of the ID Systems of All Government Agencies and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations. EO. 700. 2008. January 16, 2008. Official Gazette of the Philippines. July 29, 2019.
  8. Web site: Govt to implement multi-purpose ID in August . March 16, 2009 . September 27, 2010 . GMA News.
  9. Kilusang Mayo Uno vs. Director-General of NEDA . GR . 167798 . Resolution . et al. . . April 19, 2006 . June 10, 2014.