The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has cautioned Aurora residents against purchasing fake Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) IDs being sold online, stressing that these counterfeit cards are invalid and could expose individuals to identity theft and financial fraud.

PSA Aurora Registration Officer Mark Venice Quesada said only IDs issued through official government channels are legitimate and recognized in transactions with both government and private institutions.

“A valid PhilSys ID carries overt and covert security features absent in counterfeits. For example, it has a color-shifting element that changes when viewed at different angles,” Quesada explained.

He reminded the public that the PhilSys ID is issued free of charge and no online seller is authorized to produce or distribute it. Violators caught producing, using, or possessing fake IDs face penalties under Republic Act 11055 (PhilSys Act), including three to six years of imprisonment and fines of ₱500,000 to ₱3 million.

The PhilSys ID serves as the primary proof of identity for Filipinos, granting access to government services, financial transactions, healthcare, disaster relief, and other benefits. Quesada added that it may also be recognized internationally depending on a country’s requirements.

Meanwhile, PSA has expanded its registration coverage, now allowing children aged 0–4 years to register with supporting documents such as a birth certificate, baby book, or barangay certificate, along with the PhilSys ID of a parent or guardian.

To reach more residents in remote areas, PSA continues to deploy mobile registration centers across Aurora. As of the 2020 Census, 95 percent of the province’s population—or 225,249 individuals—have completed Step 2 of the PhilSys registration.