GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, HDMF to have single ID

The Unified Multi-Purpose ID System (UMID) is a step closer to reality as the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), and other proponents of the project formed a technical group to draw up guidelines for the program.

In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by GSIS, SSS, Philheath, and HDMF, the agencies also agreed to pool funds to bid out the production of the unified ID. SSS will be the lead agency in conducting the bid.

The MoU was signed this week by heads of the four agencies, namely SSS president Romulo Neri, Philhealth president Rey Aquino, HDMF officer-in-charge Jaime Fabiana, and GSIS president Winston Garcia.

UMID, a project of the Arroyo administration, was established last year under Executive Order 420. It requires all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations to streamline and harmonize their identification systems through the use of a UMID.

With the use of a single identification system, government agencies, such as GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, and HDMF, will be able to get rid of redundant databases. The UMID system also enhances the integrity of state-issued ID cards, facilitate the public’s transactions with the government, and cut costs from producing different IDs.

Under the project, the four agencies shall adopt a common UMID card with a common reference number to be issued by the National Statistics Office. The social security identification system is the core of the UMID system.

The card will also make use of the automated fingerprint ID system.

UMID is being implemented by the National Economic and Development Authority.

The GSIS is a pioneer in the issuance of multi-purpose cards through its eCard Plus.

The eCard Plus is officially a GSIS membership card. But with its smart card capabilities, the eCard Plus has evolved into a device which its members and pensioners can use to transact with the GSIS in a faster and more convenient manner.

Working in synergy, the eCard Plus and the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk serve as a virtual GSIS office wherein members can check their records in seconds and apply for loans in mere minutes, such as the P10,000-cash advance, the consolidated loan and policy loan. -Daily Tribune