In celebration of a fruitful year since the digitized Postal ID was first issued, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) decided to pay it forward and give back to the community by bringing the service and providing free IDs to the locals of Butbut tribe in Buscalan, Kalinga. The mobile capturing event is part of the ID’s month-long anniversary celebration entitled, “Postal ID Summer-Fun Kaarawan”.
In partnership with the independent volunteering tour group WE VolunTour, PHLPost facilitated the Postal ID capturing service on May 21, 2017. Simultaneously, a gift-giving activity sponsored by various brands like Mongol, LK Art, Starnotes, Seven Notes and Richeese was conducted for the children of the community. Among the applicants was Buscalan’s last mambabatok, Apo Whang-od, who just turned 100 years old last February. She intends to use the ID to receive additional benefits from the government, as per the Centenarian Act of 2016. A concealed paradise within the Cordilleras, Kalinga is home to tattooed women and warriors who embody the rich culture and traditions of Filipino indigenous people (IP)—one of the most prominent being the Butbut tribe. Approximately 129 households occupy the small village, surrounded by the panoramic rice terraces and breathtaking mountain ranges the place is particularly well-known for. Taking at least a three-hour ride and a 40-minute trek to get to the town proper, the tribe enjoys the serenity and tranquillity that can only come from their simple way of life. Given the remoteness of the area, the mobile capturing event was a first for the residents of Buscalan. As stated by Tribe Leader Gaspar Laguinday, if they needed to get an identification card, they would have to endure a long journey to Tabuk where the government offices are situated. “Natuwa sila nang malaman nilang dadalhin ng PHLPost ang capturing station dito, at bibigyan sila ng libreng Postal ID. Halos tatlong oras ang layo ng Tabuk sa amin, kaya marami dito ang hindi na nag-aabalang kumuha pa ng ID [They were thrilled when they heard that PHLPost is going to bring the capturing station here, and will give them free IDs. Tabuk is almost three hours away that most locals don’t bother getting valid IDs anymore],” Tatay Gaspar stated with a smile. “Pero nang malaman nila na darating ang PHLPost dito, masayang-masaya sila. Nag-unahan pa sila sa pag-a-apply ng ID [But when they heard that PHLPost was coming here, they were so happy. They even fought over who gets to apply first,]” he added. For local farmer Juanita Banao, however, the ID will do more than prove her identity. “Sabi ng lider namin sa amin, magagamit namin ang Postal ID sa mga transaksyon sa iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, pati na sa pagkuha ng trabaho [Our leader told us we can use the Postal ID when making transactions with government agencies, and even in securing jobs],” she said. Being a single parent, Juanita sees the ID as a window of opportunity to create a greater livelihood to better support her five children. By providing free Postal IDs to IPs, PHLPost is fulfilling its advocacy to make credible identity verification attainable for everyone. The members of the Butbut tribe may be relatively distant in terms of proximity, but the values, customs and beliefs they uphold take a significant part of the Filipino history and culture as a whole. ###
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Marking the Postal ID’s first anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) spearheads a mobile capturing service for a Filipino indigenous group in Buscalan, Kalinga free of charge. As the event title “Bida ang Lahat sa Postal ID” infers, it aims to uphold the principal objective of the ID, which is to make credible identity verification attainable for every single Filipino.
In partnership with WE VolunTour, PHLPost facilitates the Postal ID capturing service on May 21, 2017. Simultaneously, the organizers conduct recreational and educational activities for the tribe children, including a gift-giving activity sponsored by various brands like Mongol, LK Art, Starnotes, Seven Notes and Richeese. Launched initially on May 16, 2016, PHLPost believes the Postal ID will greatly benefit the indigenous people in several ways such as getting efficient and secure access to key institutions, including government agencies and banks, which can help them further explore greater livelihood opportunities, while ultimately contributing into forging a socially inclusive society. Bida ang Lahat sa Postal ID is the culmination of the corporation’s month-long anniversary celebration for the ID entitled Postal ID Summer-Fun Kaarawan. Infused with much improved security features that ensure the identity of the cardholder and combat fraudulent transactions, the Postal ID is identified as a primary ID recognized by important organizations such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and finance companies supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Filipinos and foreigners residing in the country can apply for the Postal ID. Application forms can be obtained from any of the 1,300 post offices nationwide or downloaded online at postalidph.com of phlpost.gov.ph. ### The Postal ID turns 1 just in time for the summer season!
A valid primary ID issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), the Postal ID celebrates its first year on May 16, 2017. With its anniversary coinciding with the summer season, PHLPost will conduct a line-up of exciting and memorable activities that will course through the whole month of May, all in all entitled, “Postal ID Summer-Fun Kaarawan”. To officially open the event, ID applicants in postal stations located within certain mall sites nationwide will be given a chance to join the “Postal ID Roll It To Win It”, where they simply have to roll the dice to receive their corresponding instant prize. Existing cardholders can also participate so long as they present their valid Postal ID cards at the mall sites on the specific promo weeks. Simultaneously, an online raffle will run on the Postal ID social media platforms. Five lucky cardholders will each receive a Postal ID Summer-Fun Kaarawan Birthday Blowout Box containing exclusive travel and leisure gift certificates, amazing goodies, a limited edition Postal ID 1st anniversary memorabilia, and more! The winners will be announced online, and their prizes will be delivered right to their doorsteps. Culminating this month-long celebration is a free mobile capturing service for a Filipino indigenous group. By providing them with a useful identification card, they are able to gain access to important institutions and explore greater livelihood opportunities, ultimately forging ahead through a socially inclusive society. The event aims to uphold the main purpose of the Postal ID, which is to make credible identity verification available to all. For the past year, the Postal ID has undergone multiple security feature enhancements necessary for it to be positioned as the most reliable and attainable form of identification for everyone. Consequently, key institutions, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approve the Postal ID as a primary card in facilitating transactions in their respective domains. Furthermore, a project called the Postal ID Privilege Program was implemented to provide cardholders with exclusive discounts and freebies from PHLPost-accredited merchants by merely presenting their Postal ID cards. The program aims to bridge cardholders to several establishments through special discounts and promos that can add value to their everyday lives. Filipinos and foreigners residing in the country can apply for the Postal ID. Application forms can be obtained from any of the 1,300 post offices nationwide or downloaded online at postalidph.com of phlpost.gov.ph. ### |