Apayao is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It has a population of 124,366 as of 2020 CPH result covering an area of 4,413.35 sq. km. (1,704.00 sq. mi). Kabugao serves as the Capital town. The provincial capitol and its associated offices are located at the New Government Center in Luna.

Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System Act was first implemented in the province in year 2021. It aims to establish a single national identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the Republic of the Philippines. Signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in August 2018, the valid proof of identity provided by the PhilSys shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, and shall be a social and economic platform that promotes seamless social service delivery and strengthening of financial inclusion for both public and private services.

In 2023, Apayao province recorded an accomplishment of 19,989 registrants. Among the seven municipalities, Conner registered the highest number of registrants with 5,373 or 26.9 percent share to the province. This was followed by Kabugao municipality with 3,938 registrants or 19.7 percent share, and closely followed by Luna with 3,733 registrants or 18.7 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 2)

By month, February topped the number of individuals registered with 3,416 or 17.1 percent. This was followed by March with a record of 3,235 or 16.2 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 3)

The province of Apayao recorded a total of 96,833 registered individuals equivalent to 7.3 percent share to the 1,326,050 total registered for the National ID System in the Cordillera Administrative Region. (Table 2)

Table 2. Number of Individuals Registered and Percent Distribution, by Province, Cordillera Adminstrative Region, 2023

Moreover, the province issued a total of 35,289 ePhilID in both Mode 1 and Mode 2 in 2023. (Figure 4)
 

The ePhilID refers to the digital version of the PhilID which may be printed on a piece of paper or may be stored in the PhilID holder’s mobile device (mobile/portable ePhilID). It is a proactive strategy of PSA that will allow more Filipinos to immediately enjoy the benefits of being PhilSys-registered. Like the PhilID, the ePhilID is not a temporary ID, has no expiration and shall be honored and accepted in all transactions requiring proof of identity and age as enumerated in Sec 13 of RA 11055 consistent with EO No. 162, series of 2022, subject to proper authentication.

GEOFFREY B. CALIMUHAYAN 
Chief Statistical Specialist 
PSA – Apayao 

CBB/JMS