There is nothing to worry about the Unified Multi-Purpose ID System (Umid) to be issued by the Social Security System (SSS) in March, Malacañang said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar said government’s critics and the public should look at the benefits of the Umid rather than giving political color on the issuance of the IDs.

“That is the standard worry that they create, not just in our country but anywhere else, and not just with respect to the ID system but with any other collection of information by the government. All we can say is that this matter can be properly studied in terms of the public benefits that we expect to receive from it,” he told in an interview over radio.

“So I’m just asking people to maintain a balanced and impartial view on this,” he added.

SSS Chairman Romulo Neri announced the March issuance of two million cards, which will be used by three government agencies and SSS for their members’ transactions. He said they already ordered 12 million Umid for distribution over the next five years.

Meanwhile, Olivar even cited that the proposed radio frequency identification (RFID) could be used to intensify the government’s campaign against colorum and other lawless activities, including carnapping.

“It’s not clear to me how the RFID system would help or would give someone an advantage sa eleksyon assuming na babalaking gamitin ang RFID for that purpose. So I would need to see the details as well as evidence sa mga ganitong klaseng akusasyon,” he said.