PITC, BIR ink pact for unified multi-purpose ID

People’s Journal – March 1, 2007

THE use of multiple identification cards and maintenance of a redundant database containing the same information may soon be over with the signing yesterday of a memorandum of agreement between the Philippine International Trading Corporation and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the adoption of a unified multi-purpose ID (UMID) using PITC's LaserCard technology.

The agreement was signed by Secretary Roberto M. Pagdanganan, chairman and president of PITC and Commissioner Jose Mario C..Bunag. Under the pact, the PITC will be the exclusive supplier of LaserCard optical memory cards for government projects. The endeavor will establish a standard and secure document system that will provide non-erasable date storage for document security and reliability, complement the BIR tax collection system and provide access to the Botika ng Sayan program of the PITC.

Pagdanganan said the use of the UMID system will reduce costs and lessen the financial burden on the government and the public.

"The Philippine Government Custom Formatted LaserCard to be provided by PITC will feature a unique Embedded Hologram Optical Variable Devise (OVD), known as the next generation counterfeit­resistance and verification not found in any other card document system or technology," Pagdanganan said.

He added that aside from the card, the PITC will also provide necessary computer systems, technical support, deployment of card readers and mobile terminals, maintenance and expansion of application, card personalization service and the like.

The PITC will also provide an initial of 12,000 complimentary LaserCards to BIR employees, making the bureau the model government agency in the implementation of the UMID under Executive Order 420. .

With the complimentary LaserCard, the PITC also extends the BIR employees' greater access to affordable medicines being distributed by PITC.

Bunag said the UMID project is intended to expand the taxpayer database of the BIR thru the possible partnership with PITC.

As a token of its appreciation and gratitude for the 12,000 complimentary cards to be issued to BIR employees, the bureau undertakes to procure PITC's services in applicable projects.