SSS produces upgraded IDs

The Social Security System will be releasing this month the first batch of the 5,000 unified identification cards that will help in facilitating transactions as well as protect its members and three other government agencies from fraud.

Aside from the SSS, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Government Service Insurance System, and the Home Development Mutual Fund are part of the unified system.

The issuance of the new Unified Multipurpose Identification System cards will be done before the end of the month, according to Emilio de Quiros, Jr., SSS President and Chief Executive Officer.

The new UMID has a contactless chip and a magnetic stripe, which stores information.

De Quiros said in a press release, that apart from identification purposes, the UMID will be a transaction card that can eventually be used in withdrawing SSS benefits and loan proceeds from automated teller machines.

"Other state agencies can also join the UMID, which uses biometric technology and fingerprint matching to determine a person's identity, so more people can reap its benefits," said De Quiros.

"Members who have been waiting for their IDs after SSS card production stopped on April 2010 would be the first to get UMID cards," he said.

De Quiros, however, said that those seeking replacement for lost IDs will be charged a replacement fee of PhP300.

Card production started at 5,000 cards per day, but has been increased to 20,000 cards per day to eliminate backlog.

Since 1998 the SSS has produced 11 million cards. The card production facility broke down in 2010 after more than 10 years in operation. — ARA