BIR ID issues

[seanchua 1]

Hi all,

My fiance is working now to get her passport and we've had a difficult time getting the primary photo ID (such as SSS ID, Voters ID, Driver's ID etc). I met her in a very poor area and works odd jobs like dish washer, waitress and owns a sari-sari store to make ends meet when I met her. Because of this, she's never had a need really for an official ID. We did start the SSS ID process about 2 months ago and they issued it very quickly, but then canceled it and destroyed it because they deemed that the "name was wrong" (Her name is Mary Luz and the ID was produced saying Maryluz). Now we have had to wait almost 2 months now and it is supposed to be ready at the end of January.

So, in case there are more issues with the SSS ID, we also pursued BIR ID after reading you can obtain it in 1 day and a Voter's ID since she had had one before but lost it. She is trying to do all of this in Bacolod City. The Voter's ID has to wait until February because the community will have some sort of 'hearing' to reinstate her Voter's ID. I'm not exactly clear on this one... The problem we have with the BIR ID is that I read the laws and even the "Executive Order" that states everyone is eligible for a BIR ID to "transact with the government". She went to the BIR office and they insisted that she have a "Bank Referral". I called the BIR main office in Manila to inquire because this is stated no where in the laws, and they said that some local offices have different requirements and I have to call the local office directly. (Which is maddening to me). I called the local office and talked to the Director's office and a lady stated that she did indeed need a bank referral and there was no way around it.

Ok, so she goes to many banks and each of them require the SSS ID for her to open a bank account. So we're stuck in this loop and I'm left thinking that the Philippines doesn't understand that it's creating these road blocks for an underprivileged class (poor). They seem to make it very difficult for people to get official documentation and work their way out of poverty (in one way or another).

We also tried to go the route of a driver's license, but she was told that she has to own a car. Again, another road block to someone that's poor. I'm not sure if this one is a law on the books there or not...

I'm semi-ranting here, but it's been frustrating. Anyone have similar issues or a work around for this case? I am in the California Service Center and have my NOA1 hard copy in hand. I don't want getting a passport to hold up the process as the CSC seems to be moving very quickly

Thank you for any input you may have.

[chillin4me 15]

this is so frustrating.. my boyfriend attempted to obtain a passport but he was denied because he has no enough ID to show. he has NBI clearance, postal ID, brgy clearance, police clearance, old employment ID.. but DFA-cebu said it's not enough.. as what we researched beforehand in DFA website everything he has was already enough for an ID.. DFA-cebu asked for more.. sss id, philhealth with MDR, voter's id and or tor from school (college)... but he wanst able to go to college becaause of financial issues. now we are waiting for the holidays to be over so he can start getting his IDs. i guess we still have a long way to do it..

[Sirliner 26]

The key to all of this is what they told you on the phone, "...some local offices have different requirements...". It's not "some", but ALL. My fiancee had this same problem in Cagayan De Oro City(a voter ID finally solved it). And others here on VJ have posted in the past about this same issue in other towns/cities across the Philippines. Each and every DFA office has their own specific requirements. Makes absolutely no sense, but that's the real problem in a nutshell. The bottom line is your fiancee should try another office. Even possibly in another city. Another option might be to try the offices in malls, as some Phils VJer's have suggested they are easier to deal with. Good luck.

[Ontarkie 14,234]

~~One post removed for TOS violation - Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method.~~

[biaobiao 40]

Nbi clearance, college TOR. If worst case scenario, have your fiance enroll to a short term class in a school, they will issue an ID. Then that is valid

Dont trust the government for ids..

Edited December 30, 2014 by biaobiao

[janRay 4]

How about a postal id? It's a valid id too. For all i know, BIR id is no longer issued because there's a so-called all-in-one id which is now used for bir, sss and philhealth transactions. You can also ask for a barangay clearance id granting that your fiance is a registered voter. No hopes for the voter's id though coz it will take years to have one.

[minions2 24]

years ago, i only had birth cert, postal and school ID and NBI.. did they change the rules and made it complicated. i was 20 that time and no employment history.

[vincemanalo924 1]

Get form 137 for those who only finished high school/elementary cause even with an old school I.D. they'd still require you to get either TOR/form 137. For opening bank account 2 valid ID's(postal id is accepted) are required. My brother has unpaid debt(31K) in college so we were unable to get his TOR. We decided to get form 137 instead. SSS ID is a pain to get since you have to have a job to get one. Even if you enrolled her in a school they will still ask for TOR/form 137 and the school will not release her TOR unless you pay her tuition in full. Form137+NBI Clearance+Barangay Clearance+Birth Certificate=enough to get him a passport.

[mumof2 0]

We also tried to go the route of a driver's license, but she was told that she has to own a car. Again, another road block to someone that's poor. I'm not sure if this one is a law on the books there or not...

.

There's no such thing as this as far as I know. I was able to get a student 's license then eventually a driver license without owning a vehicle.

Tell her to inquire from the right people and avoid the "fixers".

[manilaraf 28]

Yup, ownership of a vehicle isn't required for a non-Professional or Professional Driver's license. I'm pretty sure most Jeepney, Tricycle, FX drivers aren't the owners/operators. Agreed. Have your loved one ask from the actual LTO staff inside the LTO office or on their official website.

I was able to get a student permit and take my written/road test and received my license months before purchasing a car.

[biaobiao 40]

OP.. Seriously some of the cases you mentioned is not possible.

Owning a car before licensed is issued (total bs)

Need a bank referral for BIR?

I was able to get my bir # then the id after few months..i was also unemployed before.

Opening up an account? I only needed nbi certificate, philhealth id, pics and 2000pesos to open the account. It was witn bdo too.

Have your fiance apply in a call center in bacolod. That will solve your problems.

Id, employment, experience, she doesnt have to work long enough to get an id

Edited January 3, 2015 by biaobiao