PSA Reports 90 Percent Smartphone Ownership in NCR; Urges Immediate Access of the Digital National ID

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) urged immediate access of the Digital National ID, especially for those residing in the National Capital Region (NCR), after survey results showed that the vast majority of the region’s population owns a smartphone.

Based on the 2024 National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey (NICTHS) conducted by the agency, about 90.6 percent of individuals in NCR ages 10 and above are smartphone owners.

The NICTHS measures household and individual access to and use of information and communications technology (ICT). The results of the said survey are used for tracking digital inclusion, guiding policy formulation, and monitoring ICT development goals.

“With many smartphone owners in NCR, more Filipinos can easily and conveniently access valid and sufficient proof of identity such as the Digital National ID,” said PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General.

“To all our registered persons who have a smartphone, your Digital National ID is ready to be accessed. We encourage everyone to seize the opportunity to have a valid proof of identity on their smartphones, which they can access anytime for any transaction," he added.

Available via the eGovPH app, the Digital National ID is free and easy. Simply download the app and follow the prompt in creating an account and accessing the Digital National ID, which includes a live selfie.

The Digital National ID is accepted in requests for civil registry documents, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates. This can also be used as a requirement in processing late registration of birth of individuals.

GCash and Asia United Bank’s HelloMoney app are also accepting the Digital National ID for account verification, allowing full utilization of the financial services in said mobile wallets.

In addition, free rides at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) were made available every Wednesday of August—excluding 06 August 2025 for LRT-2—from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for holders of National ID, including the Digital National ID.

On 06 August 2025, a total of 25,173 National ID holders were able to ride the MRT-3 for free.