New Delhi (NVI): India will be assisting Philippines to set up its national ID system, much like its own 12-digit identification number known as ‘Aadhaar’, and has also pledged to organise a broadband network to fast-track its digital transformation, according to a report.
The Philippines Department of Finance has said that Indian Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran put forward the offers at a recent virtual meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III.
The overall effort is aimed at widening financial inclusion. The national ID system program and the development of the broadband network are expected to support broader use of financial technology (fintech), as per the report.
Pertinent to mention here that India had launched an a national ID system in 2009 known as Aadhaar. The system provided a unique 12-digit identification number to each of the country’s citizens.
The national ID system that India is assisting Phillipines with seeks to provide a single identification card to all Filipinos and reduce dependence on multiple government-issued IDs, the report said.
The Philippines Finance Secretary also told the Indian ambassador that Indian private companies can participate in this plan to improve cyber security at government banks and their subsidiaries.
Secretary Dominguez said that India’s GMR Infrastructure Ltd. is already involved in infrastructure projects like the Mactan Cebu International Airport project and expansion of the Clark International Airport in Philippines.
To recall, Philippines President Rodrigo R Duterte had made official visits to India in 2017 and 2018. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind had also paid a state visit to the Asian country in 2019.
-ARK
