Quezon City, one of the country's most densely populated urban centers, is asking residents to register for a single ID whch can be used to access health, transportation, and other social services.
The QCitizen ID project mirrors a national government effort to establish a single database that can be used to access almost everything, including a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
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What's a QCitizen ID?
The QCitizen ID is a unified ID for all of the city's residents and will replace the existing senior citizen, solo parent, and persons with disability (PWD) ID over time. According to City Administator Mike Alimurung, existing IDs will continue to be valid in the interim.
Apart from providing residents with basic services more efficiently, "It will also be used to determine the priority list for the distribution of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine," Alimurung said.
How do you get an ID?
Prior to applying for the QCitizen ID, residents must first create an account on the city government's E-Services portal. Those without internet access can create accounts via the city's in-person, on-the-ground registration drive in barangays in the coming weeks.
Each resident must have their own account and own ID. As such, individuals cannot use their account to register parents or other relatives. Individuals must register separately.
Who can sign up?
Residents who have a government-issued ID or barangay certificate are eligible for the registration.
All citizens will be provided with a QCitizen ID number and digital ID, but only residents 15 years old and above will be given a free physical ID card.
The digital QCitizen ID can be accessed on the QCitizen App, which is available on the Google Playstore and Apple App Store.
Who will get it first?
On-site registration will be piloted in Barangay Central on Jan. 15, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said. Registration priority will be given to those who are on the priority list for the COVID-19 vaccine: senior citizens, PWDs, and frontliners.