The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it launched the National ID Kabalikat project aimed at onboarding rural financial institutions as part of its effort to promote financial inclusion.
It said that under the initiative, it aims to reach out to rural banks, microfinance institutions and remittance centers and provide a venue for consultation to determine services suitable for integrating the National ID authentication service and onboarding sessions for guidance on the process and required submissions.
“True to the National ID’s mission of enhancing financial inclusion in the country, the National ID Kabalikat assists rural financial institutions in serving individuals with limited access to financial services through reliable and secure authentication and identity verification services,” said PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa.
“We envision a future where financial institutions nationwide are fully integrated into the National ID system,” said Mapa who also serves as the national statistician and civil registrar general.
The PSA conducted National ID Kabalikat in Roxas City, Capiz; Antipolo City, Rizal; Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental; and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
Assistant national statistician Emily Pagador sees the initiative as ‘a step forward in making meaningful change’ for communities.
“By working hand-in-hand with rural banks, remittance centers, and all other financial institutions, we can make services more accessible and bring inclusion closer to the people who need it most,” she said during the inaugural National ID Kabalikat in Roxas City, Capiz.
“I hope [the] discussions will inspire fresh ideas, foster cooperation, and move us closer to a future where financial inclusion is not just an idea but a reality for every Filipino,” said Pagador.
