FACT CHECK: No P8,000 cash aid from PhilSys for national ID holders
Claim: The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) is giving P8,000 in cash assistance to Filipino national ID holders.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook post containing the claim has 202 shares, 132 comments, and 43 reactions as of writing. It was posted on September 26 by a Facebook page named “Philsys National ID Cash Assistance.”
The image attached to the post says all individuals holding a national ID will be given an P8,000 cash assistance. The post asks individuals to register through a link provided in its caption.
The facts: There is no cash assistance for anyone holding a national ID, as clarified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in a public advisory on September 6.
“We would like to clarify that the PSA does not provide any cash assistance or financial incentives. Registration to the National ID system, which will provide valid proof of identity to Filipinos, is free and does not include monetary compensation or financial assistance,” the advisory read.
The PSA, PhilSys’ implementing agency, reiterated the same warning in earlier advisories issued on August 9 and August 28. The agency also reminded the public not to share their national ID with unauthorized individuals to protect their personal information and prevent identity theft and fraud.
“The PSA reminds the public to refrain from engaging with individuals or groups behind these posts and to avoid filling out online forms to apply for the cash assistance offered,” it said.
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Fake link: The purported registration site linked in the post is not an official government website of either the PSA or PhilSys, but a blogging site that mimics a registration form. It asks individuals to provide their personal information such as full name, email address, mobile number, and password to sign up. Filling out unofficial application forms such as this may expose users to phishing scams. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)
Getting a national ID: PhilSys is the centralized identification system for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens in the Philippines that facilitates the issuance of a national ID. Applicants must present the necessary documents to obtain an ID at their nearest registration center.
A digital version and a paper-printed ePhilID are also available. (EXPLAINER: How Filipinos can get a digital national ID)
Previous fact checks: Rappler has debunked false claims about PhilSys or PSA giving cash aid for national ID holders:
- FACT CHECK: P5,000 cash aid for national ID holders report uses spliced audio
- FACT CHECK: No P4,000 aid for national ID holders
- FACT CHECK: No P3,000 cash aid from PhilSys for national ID holders
- FACT CHECK: No PhilSys program offering P5,000 aid for national ID holders
- FALSE: National ID owners get P10,000 aid after online registration
– Ailla Dela Cruz/Rappler.com
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