He also encouraged Filipinos to continue voicing out concerns and suggestions to the government.
“Nandito naman kami para makinig at aksyunan…malaki o maliit na hinaing.” That is what President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said in his recent vlog released on Sunday, March 8.
During which, he noted the outpour of grievances from the public on his prior vlog and told, “Noong nakaraang dalawang linggo ay nag-vlog tayo tungkol sa mga polisiya. Laking gulat namin na makita namin ang comment section dahil sa dami ng suggestion ninyo.”
He then encouraged Filipinos to continue voicing their concerns and suggestions to the government, no matter how big or small are these.
“Tama lang na ihayag ninyo ang inyong mga saloobin. At wala ring malaki o maliit na hinaing, lahat po ‘yan ay problema basta pabigat sa pamumuhay ng tao. At nandito naman kami para makinig at aksyunan ang mga bagay-bagay na ‘yan,” he added.
SIMPLIFY, QUICKEN PROCESSING OF DOCUMENTS
In the same video, the President ordered the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to further simplify and speed up the processing of civil registry documents—such as the correction of birth certificates—as part of the government’s broader push for digitalization and improved public service.
He also addressed public concerns and suggestions regarding the challenges in obtaining documents and applying for identification card (ID)s, especially for the vulnerable sector and those living in Geographically Isolated Areas (GIDAs).
The chief executive then emphasized the government is making efforts to improve the country’s digital services through the implementation of the eGov app.
“Sa tingin ko, sa mga nagagawa na nating improvement gamit ang eGov at internet, dapat ay isa na ito sa mga serbisyong hindi na natin inaalala,” he noted. “Napaka-basic naman niyan at ilang oras ang kakainin sa inyong araw para lang pilahan ang iisang dokumento.”
“Gamitin natin nang gamitin at kami naman sa national government, dapat ay padadaliin namin ang proseso. Kaya PSA, padaliin niyo na, pabilisin niyo na,” added the President.
According to him, the PSA recently launched its e-Certificate service, which allows Filipinos to apply for digital copies of their birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other civil registry documents.
Marcos said this service should eventually become standard across all PSA offices, adding that even requests for physical copies should be allowed at any PSA branch for greater convenience.
RECOGNIZING DIGITAL DOCUMENTS AS VALID DOCUMENT
He also underscored the need for all government agencies to recognize digital documents as a valid document.
“Kung tutuusin, marami na tayong serbisyo sa eGov na kailangan lang fully ma-integrate sa workflow ng iba’t ibang opisina. We need to be open in integrating so our digitization program can succeed,” said PBBM.
However, the President also acknowledged that physical appearance may still be necessary in some processes to prevent fraudulent birth registration. “Ayaw natin naman masama sa ganiyan,” he stated, citing the case of Alice Guo as an example.
Meanwhile, to address concerns of individuals who may not qualify for IDs due to a lack of documentation, the President mentioned the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) ongoing efforts to assist the marginalized sectors in obtaining identification and civil registry documents, which include providing Pag-abot ID for street dwellers that they can use as a supporting document when applying for other IDs.
The DSWD also has a Co-Location program that brings PSA assistance to DSWD payout sites, allowing beneficiaries to secure documents such as birth certificates and national IDs.
“Pinadali na rin ng PSA ang proseso ng pagkuha ng National ID. Tinatanggap na po ng PSA ang kahit na anong dokumento na may pangalan, araw ng kapanganakan, address, litrato, o lagda, o thumbmark katulad po ng Barangay Clearance,” he noted.
For other citizens not in the poorest sector, the President encouraged them to use government digital services, such as PSA’s e-certificate program.
‘ANTI-EPAL’ AID DISTRIBUTION
President Marcos also said that the government is looking into improving the delivery of assistance to senior citizens and emphasized that these being programs being funded by the national government should not be used for political activities or self-promotion by officials.
“Alam niyo po, basta’t ito ay mga programa ng national government. Ang mga speech at iba pang pang-epal bago ng distribution, hindi na pupuwede ‘yan,” he declared. “Hindi puwedeng gamitin ang government services sa pamumulitika o pagpo-promote ng sarili.”
The chief executive added that existing policies already prohibit such practices, citing guidelines under a memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and provisions in the General Appropriations Act governing the proper use of public funds.
Marcos also said the government is exploring ways to digitize the distribution of assistance to make the process more efficient.
“Sa distribution naman, pinapag-usapan na ang pag-digitize ng proseso. Baka puwedeng Gcash,” mulled the President.
He also mentioned that other local government units (LGU) have already began testing the mechanism. “May ibang mga LGU na gaya ng Makati na sinusubukan na ang ganitong sistema. Dapat tingnan pa rin ng mga local government unit ang modelong ito. Aralin ang sistema at unti-unting ma-implementa.”
He underscored “Basta’t sa national government nanggaling ‘yan, mabilis na. ‘Di ka na kailangan makinig sa mahabang speech ng mga pulitiko.”