The Philippine government officially launched the new digital National Senior Citizen ID (NCSID), integrated into the platform eGovPH app, that is expected to benefit some 12 million elderly in the country.

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), led the launch at The Manila Hotel on Friday.

“Today, this is a realization and a reality of what we really wish for our senior citizens. We are talking about the launching of a senior citizen ID,” NCSC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Mary Jean Loreche said in her opening speech.

“To have that digitalized senior citizen ID is actually more than just an ID. It is actually a symbol where all senior citizens are not left behind. This ID proves that accessing our government services is easy and prompt so that you all feel that you are loved by our government,” she added.

Seamless integration

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the NSCID will be integrated into the eGovPH super app, the government's central digital platform that offers a wide array of services -- accessible anytime, anywhere.

He said that to date, about 8.4 million Filipinos have registered for the national ID. Of this number, about 1.2 million are elderly.

For senior citizens who are already registered with the national ID system (PhilSys), the digital version of the senior citizen ID will appear automatically upon reaching age 60, eliminating redundant paperwork and the need to physically visit multiple offices, he said.

PNA PHOTO