Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) – The newly-appointed socioeconomic planning chief seeks to double the number of registrants under the national ID system this year if funds are available.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Acting Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua told CNN Philippines that they will try to double the minimum target of five million registrants under the national ID system this year.
“We were given a budget for five million and I am requesting if PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) can register double or 10 million, they say yes but they need more money so I’m going to ask DBM (Department of Budget and Management) if we can give PSA some money,” Chua said in an interview on Wednesday.
Chua said the national ID system is a vital project for this year, saying it was among the top priorities given to him by President Rodrigo Duterte when he assumed the NEDA post.
“If we can register 10 million household heads, we will have a much easier time next year to provide subsidies and more targeted support to the poor so that’s in the works now,” Chua said.
READ: NEDA eyes 5 million registrants in national ID system this year
Chua earlier said the NEDA and PSA will use the next two months for the remaining procurement and preparation so that registration can be quickly rolled out in June or July when the enhanced community quarantine is relaxed or modified.
“If we are allowed to go out in May, we will start immediately,” Chua said.
