A militant group in Cebu slammed the approval of the National ID System, saying the policy has a repressive impact on activists and indigenous peoples (lumads).
Joisa Cesita, chairperson of Anakbayan Cebu, said the National ID System may be used to attack the activist and minority groups such as peasants.
Cesista, however, recognized that the new system makes it easy for Filipinos to avail of government services.
On Monday (August 6), President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the policy to uphold a national ID system.
Under this system, all Filipino citizens and registered foreigners are required to obtain a common reference number and register their information such as full name, address, age and their biometric data including an iris scan.