GSIS to launch unified ID system

MANILA, Philippines - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) would soon introduce the Unified Multi-Purpose ID System to replace the agency’s eCard, the all-in-one utility card.

This as the government is scheduled to roll out the first wave of the new ID cards in March, with the Social Security System, the state-owned pension fund for employees in the private sector as the lead proponent.

The shift to the UMID upgrades the present government IDs such as the SSS, GSIS and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. The target is to produce 12 million cards.

GSIS said that its UMID-compliant eCard will replace the eCard Plus but with no cost to the member.

It said the new eCard will already bear a Common Reference Number or CRN. The CRN is the primary identifier of an individual transacting business or availing of services from any government agency.

With the CRN, the UMID-compliant eCard will serve as a valid identification card not only for the GSIS but also for the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and other government agencies.

The UMID system is an offshoot of Executive Order No. 420 which requires all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations to streamline and harmonize their identification systems through the use of a unified multi-purpose ID. 

With the use of a single identification system, government agencies, such as the GSIS will be able to get rid of redundant information or database.

GSIS said the government hopes that the system will also enhance the integrity of state-issued ID cards, facilitate the public’s transactions with the government, and cut costs from producing different IDs. 

The GSIS’ eCard Plus, whose earliest functions was just an identification and an automated teller machine (ATM) card, is now a transaction card, a hospitalization card, an education benefit card, and a discount card.

Active members can apply for different loan products and withdraw pension claims using the card.

GSIS said all the features of the eCard will be retained in the UMID-compliant eCard.