I.

INTRODUCTION

Electronic Identification system is crucial component for every civilized nation

and is was proven to be a successful way to improve public services in modern
government systems. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) has been finally
brought to light after two decades of consistent trial and error on passing and enacting
the law for implementing a national identification system in the Philippines. The primary
objective of this study was to conduct an evaluation specifically from the perception of
the Filipino citizens towards the PhilSys through the lens of the Technology Acceptance
Model (TAM). This study used a single-case quantitative methodology and gathered a
total of 654 sample population. Findings were evaluated using Spearman's rank
correlation in R statistical tool. Furthermore, based on citizens' perspective, this study
also developed collective patterns of facilitating and hindering factors for ensuring the
successful implementation of PhilSys ID. The study's findings revealed that the
perceived usefulness and ease of using the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)
moderately influence the Filipino citizen's intention to use the ID System. However,
there is a stronger correlation in trusting the Philippine ID system in correlations with
public awareness, transparency and concerns related to privacy and security.

Moreover, based on citizens' perspective on facilitating and inhibiting factors,

public awareness is the most critical factor in PhilSys ID's success. Other inhibiting and
facilitating factors is related to good governance, transparency, privacy and security,
citizens cooperation, internet accessibility, secure IT infrastructure and technical
expertise of both the citizens and government. Identification systems are becoming
crucial components of every developed nation. Otherwise, it might become very
complex to guarantee citizens’ privileges, responsibilities and even healthy economic
structure (‘Top National ID Systems’, 2020). Without a legal means of identification, it is
difficult or unlikely to establish a bank account, obtain money, or obtain credit, establish
qualifications for entitlements (health, retirement, and welfare nets), administer welfare
services, establish land property or inheritance, and legally cross borders. It will also be
difficult to prescribe and immunize against diseases and vote in elections, which has a
detrimental effect on economic, political, and inclusiveness. Social exclusion of
vulnerable individuals including women, children and the elderly will be common in such
cases. It could also challenge governance and service provision problems through
leakages in government services and a failure to track development (World Bank
Group- Identity for Development, 2016). Electronic identification is critical for the proper
operation of modern government systems.

As part of the attempts to secure citizens’ identities and to integrate e-

government services, governments worldwide have implemented national electronic
identification systems (Kő et al., 2019). Signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte in August 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recognizes the critical
function of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) in assisting in the resolution of
issues resulting from the COVID-19. Despite the pandemic, PSA is ordered to give
priority to register at least five million low-income household heads with the Philippine
Identification System (PhilSys) to obtain a national ID. The researcher believes that this
case study of the Philippines as social phenomena provides relevant contribution to
both theory and practice for a citizen-centric approach in governing the national
identification system of the Philippines.

I. LITERATURE REVIEW

According to Webster and Watson (2002), effective writing of the literature lays a
strong basis for advancing understanding while still identifying fields that need further
research (Webster & Watson, 2002). Moreover, a literature review may serve as a
descriptive, analytical, and valuable summary of a topic. It may help define what is
understood and what is unknown in a topic field, point out points of contention or
disagreement, and formulate research questions. There are many types of literature
reviews, including comprehensive reviews performed as primary research projects,
reviews published as an introduction and basis for some research, such as a thesis or
dissertation, and reviews conducted as a secondary source of data for the research
(Bolderston, 2008). In this section, the literature review is subdivided into four main
themes and it aims to provide a piece of foundational knowledge for the study. The first
theme is the overview of the definition of the identification system which provides the
definition of the identity system and the terminal description used for this research. The
second theme is a summary of the existing literature and its significant implications on
the topic which is ended with its significance and the gaps identified in the literature.
The third theme is the summary of best practices of national identity systems in the
world which ends with its relevance on the current study topic which is the PhilSys ID.
Finally, the fourth theme introduces and elaborates on the theoretical framework used
for this research.

A previous study by Adjei (2013) focused on crafting a trusted national identity for
a Citizen-Centric National Identification Management System. He provided a significant
contribution to the literature on trusted identities by adding a metric for calculating the
points of convergence between privacy concern and trust, which he called the privacy
concern–curvilinear trust model. According to Adjei (2013), any effort to ensure
institutional coordination and partnership has the benefit of increasing trust within the
identity ecosystem. The majority of the advantages of trusted identities systems can be
realized at this equilibrium.

In a recent study, Bhuvana & Vasantha (2021) studied the impact of COVID-19
on rural citizens’ access to E-Government services. The study applied the Technological
Acceptance Model to investigate the adoption Of social media network used by
students. This research conducted a theoretical analysis on rural people’s Access to e-
governance services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic by assessing their
attitudes and Behavioral intentions about trust aspects. The authors discovered that
‘Subjective Norms’ are the most consistent factor in the expansion of TAM. This
research explored the dramatic shift in the rural population’s Willingness to accept
government-provided technology-based programmes during the covid-19 pandemic
Situation (Bhuvana & Vasantha, 2021). Access to government portals has risen to 80%,
though 114 million Users already have access to the Aarokya Setu smartphone app
(Bhuvana & Vasantha, 2021). This situation Demonstrates that the public believes in
and trusts the services facilitated by the government’s technological Advancements
(Bhuvana & Vasantha, 2021). Even though the pandemic scenario poses a danger to
people’s Lives, it depends on acquiring new information and accepting innovative
improvements and or Developments (Bhuvana & Vasantha, 2021). The research result
aims to assist government leaders, Lawmakers, and members of diverse segments of
society in comprehending the fundamental needs and Conditions for technology
acceptance (Bhuvana & Vasantha, 2021).

More than two decades have passed since the Philippine government first
attempted to introduce a national identification scheme for Filipino citizens. The first
attempt was made by late President Ferdinand Marcos, Who proposed establishing a
National Reference Card scheme under the regulation of a National Registration
Coordinating Committee under Presidential Decree 278 series of 1973. The card was
intended To replace all government-issued identification documents with a single
National Reference Card. This card Would be available to all Filipinos and foreigners
residing in the country. Anyone who failed to register Would face legal liability. However,
this proposal did not materialize (philsys 2021, 2021; Presidential Decree No. 278, s.
1973 | GOVPH, n.d.)

II. DISCUSSION

This chapter seeks to construct meaningful relationships and correlations on the

descriptive data presented In the results and analysis chapter. Moreover, it will also
summarize the findings and answer the research Questions and hypothesis of the study
as explained in Chapter One and Chapter Three of this thesis report. The primary
objective of this study was to conduct an evaluation specifically on the perception of the
Filipino citizens towards the Philippine Identification System (philsys). Understanding
the citizens’ Perception of philsys’ ease of use and usefulness leads to their attitude for
actual usage of the philsys ID Through the lens of TAM (Davis, 1989). Moreover, this
study also investigated the citizen’s opinions on Facilitating and hindering factors that
ensure philsys ID’s success. Results indicate that the demographic data of the
respondents revealed important practical implications and Limitations of the study. The
majority of the respondents in the online survey (76%) represents citizens from Luzon
Island and only minimal respondents were from Visayas and Mindanao islands. This
may be Interpreted as factors such as language barrier, accessibility on internet
connections and active citizen Participation may be limited in the later islands. These
are important factors to consider in the Implementation of philsys ID as they may impact
the successful implementation and adoption of the National ID. Moreover, most of the
respondents have attained university level of education (70.18% Respondents) and is
considered to have sufficient knowledge and accessibility to electronic gadgets and
Media. There is a significant representation of females (64%) in the survey, which is not
surprising in the country’s Context as it is considered one of the leading countries in
gender equality in the Asian region (Schwab et Al., 2019). Gender is an important factor
to consider in the philsys electronic services as gender rights and publics services are
intertwined. Additionally, it is important to note that this finding also shows minimal
Participation from the senior citizens, which is only 3% of the total surveyed population.
This study may assume that the older generations have less access to online
media and electronic gadgets and may be one Of the obstacles that must be considered
for the full implementation of the philsys ID. The first research question that this
research aimed to explore was: How does the usefulness & ease of use of the
Philippine Identification System (philsys) influence the Attitudes of Filipino citizens to
actually use the ID System? The findings show that there is a moderate correlation
between PU and ATU of the philsys ID. These Findings are similar to the earlier studies
on determining the relationship between PU and ATU (Ali & Anwar, 2021; Backhouse &
Halperin, n.d.; Davis, 1989) and speed as an important component of usefulness (Tsap
et al., 2020). However, this study is different based on its context and added
determinant factor such As cost-saving and perceived improved quality to measure
usefulness. In this study, to understand the Usefulness of the Identification System, we
measure the service efficiency, the cost and the effectiveness of Improving the quality of
government to citizen communication. Thus the first hypothesis was proposed as:
 H1. Overarching Hypothesis of H1a-H1c: Perceived usefulness (PU) in relation to
determinant variables (perceived cost-saving, timesaving and effectiveness) has
a positive effect on Attitudes towards Use (ATU) of the PhilSys Identification
System (PhilSys) *
 H1a: A perceived cost-saving service (CS) has a positive effect on the Attitudes
towards Use (ATU) of the PhilSys Identification System (PhilSys).
  H1b: A perceived Time Saving (TS) PhilSys service has a positive effect on the
Attitudes Towards Use (ATU) of the PhilSys Identification System (PhilSys).
 H1c: A perceived Improved Quality (IQ) of PhilSys service has a positive effect
on the Attitudes Towards Use (ATU) of the PhilSys Identification System
(PhilSys).

III. BODY
The Philippine Identification System strategy claims that the ID system will
simplify private and public Transactions, making government transactions more cost-
effective and efficient, and (‘Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys)’, n.d.). The
elements of efficiency, cost-saving and improved service Quality were evaluated to
determine the usefulness of PhilSys based on citizens’ perspective. In the survey,
citizens were asked if they perceived that the PhilSyS ID would help speed up the
Government-related public service transactions process, will it help expedite
bureaucratic services, and Reduce citizens’ time queuing for public services aligned
with the PhilSys ID. As shown in Figure 12, among 654 respondents, 43% strongly
believed that the PhilSys ID would facilitate the efficient implementation Of public
service transactions and government processes. 36% of the respondents agreed and
4.89% Disagreed that it would do so. In addition, in the survey citizens were also asked
about their perception if PhilSys will lower service fee And transportation expense when
availing services at government offices or if it will be cost-saving.
Approximately one-third of the respondents (37.6% of respondents) strongly
agreed, and almost one-third (34.6% of respondents) likely believed that PhilSys ID will
assist in reducing service fees and expenses in Processing transactions. 19% of
respondents neutrally perceived that it will be useful to reduce the service Charge, and
8.5% of respondents disagree that this service will help reduce the service charge.
Lastly, to determine the usefulness of the PhilSys Identification, citizens were asked
whether the PhilSys Would improve the interaction between the citizen and government
on the delivery of public services. 38, 84 % strongly agreed, while 37, 16% consider that
the PhilSys ID will enhance service delivery between Government and residents.
Around 5.2% of the sampled population feel uncertain or disagree regarding How
PhilSys ID may improve the overall G2C service delivery provision of government
services that are Reliant on PhilSys ID. However, the researcher may assume that over
70% of surveyed respondents felt that The PhilSys ID would help foster better citizen-
government interactions among those surveyed.

IV. CONCLUSION
The primary objective of this study was to conduct an evaluation specifically from
the perception of the Filipino Citizens towards the Philippine Identification System
(philsys) through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This study used
a web-based questionnaire and gathered a total Of 654 sample population. Then the
findings were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation for testing The proposed
hypothesis. Furthermore, based on citizens perspective, this study also developed
Collective patterns of facilitating and hindering factors from ensuring the successful
implementation of philsys ID.The usefulness and ease of using the Philippine
Identification System (philsys) moderately influence The Filipino citizen’s intention to
use the ID System. The Perceived Usefulness of the philsys ID is Moderately correlated
with efficiency, cost-saving, and perceived improvement regarding government citizen
interactions.
More importantly, there is a strong-moderate correlation in trusting the Philippine
ID system in correlations with public awareness, transparency and concerns related to
Privacy and security. Based on the collective view of the citizens, a number of potential
hindrances stand in the way of a successful philsys implementation. Public awareness
is the most important factor in philsys ID’s Success. The ability to connect to the
internet, especially in rural regions, and the technical proficiency Of the users, are seen
as potential issues. Uncooperative citizens are another factor that may cause Setbacks
to the implementation of philsys. The third is the technical competence of the philsys
Administrators to operate a secure IT infrastructure. And lastly, the respondents
suggested that issues Related to corruption, government transparency, information
misuse, data protection, privacy, and security can be challenges that might impede the
philsys ID from being implemented successfully.
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https://www.jstor.org/stable/4132319
THE PHILIPPINE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM THROUGH THE LENS OF
TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL

A Term Paper
Presented to College of Teacher Education
Alpha Centauri Educational System INC.

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirement for the Degree
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major In English

By: Krish Ann D Villoria

January 28, 2024