President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. acknowledged the difficulties faced by Filipinos without identification documents, particularly those from marginalized sectors, in his latest vlog where he responded to public suggestions.

The concern was raised by a commenter identified as Mona Lisa, who pointed out that many of the country’s poorest citizens struggle to obtain government IDs or documents from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) because they lack any existing identification.

Marcos said the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, has introduced initiatives to assist individuals without formal identification, including street dwellers and other vulnerable groups.

“Ito po sa DSWD natin na siyang nagha-handle ng poorest of the poor cases, meron na silang binibigay na ‘Pag-abot ID’ para sa mga street dweller. Pwede na rin yan pangsimula. If mag-apply na sila sa barangay or other agencies ng ID, kailangan kilalanin na yan,” Marcos said.

He also cited the DSWD’s co-location program, which brings PSA services to government payout sites so beneficiaries can process essential documents such as birth certificates and the national ID in one location.

Marcos added that the PSA has eased requirements for national ID registration by accepting documents containing basic personal details, including barangay clearances, to help those living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

“Sa mga kababayan po natin na kabilang sa marginalized sector o nakatira sa mga GIDA, kung may barangay clearance kayo, maaari na po ninyong makuha ang national ID,” he said.

The President also encouraged Filipinos to utilize the government’s digital services for document requests while directing agencies to further simplify and speed up the process.