In a nutshell, the PhilSys ID:

• Will ease government and private transactions for all Filipino citizens and foreigners that reside in the country.
• Has a unique permanent number which will be assigned to each citizen upon registration or birth by PSA and of course, the number will be non-transferable. 
• It will be a valid proof of identity for all. So no more "bring 2 valid IDs...", the PhilSys ID will do.

The applicant must give their personal data to register. These include:

• Full name
• Sex
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Blood Type
• Address
• Filipino or Resident Alien
• Marital Status(Optional)
• Mobile Number (Optional)
• Email Address (Optional)

Biometrics Data will also be gathered:

• Front Facing Photograph
• Full set of fingerprints
• Iris scan

The PWD’s, Senior Citizens, poor and indigenous individuals will be prioritized. There are no fees to be paid upon application and renewal. In case of loss, you must get an affidavit of loss and you should pay for your second ID card.

These are the designated registration centers:

• PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority in Regional and Provincial Offices.
• Local Civil Registry Offices (LCROS)
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
• Social Security System (SSS)
• PhilHealth
• Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)
• Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
• Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost)
• And other government agencies assigned by PSA.

Please be reminded that the Republic Act No. 11055 or PhilSys ID Act has been signed but registration has not started.

Also... did you know that the Philippines is one of the 9 countries in the world that had no national system identification? The national ID system was initially proposed during President Fidel V. Ramos's term in the 1990’s but failed due to privacy concerns and lack of support in Congress.

In 2011, Senator Panfilo Lacson wanted to set up a national ID system. 

In 2016, Quezon City Representative Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Antonio Trillanes filed the House of  Bill No. 12 and Senate Bill No. 95 proposing a national identification system

After almost 2 years, it was finally signed by the President.