Cebu City sets aside P7 million for ID system

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City executive department has proposed to allocate P7 million for a new ID system that will make delivery of services to the people much faster.

The system envisions to issue 300,000 cards to those belonging to the marginal sectors of the city.

During the budget hearing yesterday, some members of the City Council expressed support to the proposal but others also raised queries on the qualifications of the beneficiaries.

Councilor Franklyn Ong, president of Association of Barangay Councils-Cebu City Chapter, said the city should have clear guidelines on the qualifications.

“Akong concern is the qualification lang on how to qualify because I think that is the very important,” he said, adding that barangay officials should also be informed of the program because they will be the ones to sign the barangay clearance.

Atty. Jose Daluz III, special assistant to the mayor, said the new ID system would allow the beneficiaries to avail of the programs of the city.

He said Mayor Edgardo Labella will form an executive committee composed of members from the Association of Barangay Councils, Sangguniang Kabataan, Department of Social Welfare and Services, among others, to implement the program once the equipment has been purchased.

Without the ID system, Daluz said, a resident of the city has to secure specific requirements like voter’s certificate, barangay clearance, among others, before they get to enjoy some benefits.

With the ID system, the residents would have to present their IDs to any office of the city government to avail of the services.

Daluz said the P7 million will cover the procurement of the software and the actual copies of IDs and the equipment needed.

Daluz said the executive department will prioritize the marginal sectors like the women’s group, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities since these groups are already organized.

The ID system is also seen to address concerns involving people who are getting services from the city but are not really residents and voters of the city, Daluz said.

“We will pre-register the applicants. Inig swipe sa card, makita ang data sa applicant,” he said, adding that the system is being implemented by other local government units.

Councilor Philip Zafra commended the executive department for putting up this program, especially that some residents of the barangays are processing the same requirements to avail of different programs and services.

Daluz said the city will set up to four units that will do the pre-registration in different barangays.

“This is the program we call Gasa sa Paglaum. A gift of hope program wherein tanang programs sa city like Champ, burial, dili naka kailangan sige’g pangayo og requirements but ang ID will suffice,” he said.

He said the ID will be valid for two years and the applicants will have to re-apply after the expiration of the ID.

Once the program will be perfected, the executive will ask the legislative department to institutionalize the ID system which means that the IDs will become valid identification.

He also said the city could ask malls and supermarkets to provide discounts for the ID cardholders. — JMD (FREEMAN)