Negros Oriental solons are in favor of the re-introduction of the national ID system in Congress and said it has not only worked well in other countries but will also do so in the local level.

Rep. Joceyln Limkaichong (1st district, NegOr) said her municipality in La Libertad has implemented the ID system in the barangay level without any objection from constituents.

The ID system in La Libertad is complete with finger printing, blood banking, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig, GSIS and SSS numbers, among the relevant data, she said.

Limkaichong said she sees no reason why its implementation on a nationwide scale will be a problem.

Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd Dist. NegOr) said he has no objection to the system, but said the decision will depend on Congress.

Arnaiz said that, in the national level, the proposal has been subjected to several interpretations, depending on the leanings of individuals.

There are fears that the national ID system is a prelude to Martial Law and that it violates the basic right of a person, he said.

Arnaiz said he has nothing against the proposed system since it has been successfully implemented in the local level.

He added that militant groups are strongly against the proposal because their identity could easily be determined when they transact with government.

Arnaiz said, though, that the system will be advantageous to both rightists and leftists.

On the other hand, Gov. Emilio Macias II said he has no definite stand on the proposal, and he is leaving the decision to the Congress.

But he also said the ID system is prone to abuse.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who filed Senate Bill 196 in the 14th Congress, said the national ID system has been working well in other countries. The security aspect is only one among the many features of the ID, he said.

One of the more important aspects is in the availment of indigents of social programs of the government, he added.

Lacson was guest of honor at the youth summit on the Millennium Development Goals at Silliman University , Dumaguete City .

“It's about the bureaucracy of the system. Those who oppose don't have a good understanding of the system,” he said.*JG/MA

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