The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under Governor Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte, began its release of the provincial identification cards of its constituents on March 12, 2022 at the Convention Center, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili. The first batch to receive their provincial IDs are the 1,047 residents of Minalabac and Cabusao.
Camarines Sur is the very first province in the Philippines to have provincial IDs with bank account and mastercard feature. The Provincial Government partnered with Land Bank of the Philippines in order to provide its people with Landbank Mastercard Prepaid Card (LMPC) electronic card. With its 3-in-1 feature, the LMPC e-card can be used as valid identification card for constituents without valid IDs yet; it can also be used as a savings account with the deposit limit of P100,000 per month; and it is also acceptable as payment source for online purchases.
Of these uses, the most important and distinctive feature of the provincial ID is that the government can course through its financial assistance to the people by directly depositing the amount on their bank accounts.
“Ini pong provincial ID, ining cash card na iniyo, dakula pong katabangan para sa gabos ta halimbawa kun igwang mga benepisyong itatao samuya hale sa probinsya, mas marikas pong makukua ta digdi na lang ninda ididiretso,” said Ma. Teresa Oliva of Brgy. Irayang Solong, Minalabac.
As a barangay kagawad, Oliva has had first-hand experience of the tedious process in the distribution of various services and assistances from the government to the public. While they are able to successfully distribute each assistance, commotions are sometimes inevitable especially with numbers of beneficiaries that flock the venues.
According to Oliva, not a lot of their constituents have valid IDs and can afford to open a bank account which is why she is beyond thankful and pleased by the province’s initiative.
Unlike regular Landbank Visa Debit Card, the LMPC e-card has no maintaining balance. The card is also EMV chip-enabled making it secured and it has five (5) years validity. The constituents may reload their accounts at any Landbank branches or online through Landbank LinkBiz Portal or mobile banking app and their e-cards can be used in ATMs and POS terminals worldwide, and online purchases.
Prior to the start of pandemic, the Provincial Government has been consistent in providing countless services and programs much needed by its constituents. From medical and burial, to educational, shelter, agricultural, and many more. The province always ensures that its people have access to government services. The distributions of the said assistances were primarily done by gathering crowds of beneficiaries in one venue. But now that we are entering and adjusting to a new normal state where restrictions and protocols must be abided to, it is only necessary that we come up with innovative ways and practices to cope with these changes.
The 63-year-old Maria Moyo from Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Cabusao has had availed many of the programs and assistances from the province. “Dakol na po akong pinilahan makakua sanang tabang. May mga pagkakataon na grabeng init muna an sinapo mi bago makakua pero tigtiyagaan mi ito. Dawa mainit tsaka haloy, nagmantenir talaga kami ta kaipo ming maray.”
Being a senior citizen who suffers from hypertension, it is strenuous and risky for her to stand in long lines under scorching weather but even so, Moyo endured just to have something to bring home to their family.
“Maogma na po ako ngunyan ta magayon po ining itinao nindang card ta dae na kami masasakitan magparapila. Insigida mi na pong makukua si tabang asin magagamit na sa pangangaipo,” said by the elated Moyo who happily clutched her provincial ID.
With the release of the provincial IDs, the distribution of these programs and assistances is made easier, quicker, and more convenient with much less contact and tedious process.
The Provincial Government plans to continue its distribution of the provincial ID among its constituents in the coming days.
