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MANILA - The government will fast-track the processing of the national ID system notwithstanding the COVID-19 lockdown, since it can used to expedite aid in times of crisis, the new socioeconomic planning chief said Wednesday.

Procurement of equipment and other systems can be done even with restrictions in place to contain the spread of COVID-19, acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua told ANC.

Strict health measures will also be observed during registration once the lockdown is lifted, he said.

"Ang plano po natin ngayon ay bilisan ang paghahanda natin kasi ngayon nasa enhanced community quarantine tayo pero marami pang pwedeng gawin ang Philippine Statistics Authority," Chua said.

(Our plan is to expedite preparations since we are in an ECQ, there are things that the PSA can do)

Chua said the government planned to finish 80 to 90 million registrations before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte's term.

• Gov’t to test national ID system starting September

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) launched consumer and business surveys to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chua said.

A recovery plan will be crafted once the government has a clear estimate the pandemic's economic impact, he said.

Some lawmakers earlier urged finance officials to roll out the national ID system ahead of schedule to facilitate the release of cash aid to poor families.

• Sotto: Implement national ID system to streamline COVID-19 aid recipients, speed up