Philippines starts registering millions for national ID cards

Manila hopes system will spur consumer adoption of electronic payments

20201012N philippines national id

The planned Philippine ID system could accelerate adoption of electronic payments in the Southeast Asian country. 

JUN ENDO, Nikkei staff writer

MANILA -- The Philippines began Monday registering millions of citizens for its national identification system, hoping to promote electronic payments and make it easier for low-income earners without bank accounts to access financial services.

All Philippine citizens and resident foreigners are required to register such information as name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, address and nationality. Biometric data -- fingerprints, facial photos and iris scans -- also will be stored.

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