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In case you missed the news, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) are offering free train rides for national ID holders every Wednesday this August 2026.

National ID holders can avail of free rides on August 5, 12, 19, and 26, from 7am to 9am and from 5pm to 7pm.

PHOTO BY Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

This latest #LibrengSakay initiative is being held to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of Republic Act No. 11055, the Philippine Identification System Act.

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The act, which was signed on August 6, 2018, establishes a single national IDentification system that aims to provide valid proof of identity for Filipino citizens and resident aliens of the Philippines.

If you want to avail of free rides, you’ll need to present your national ID, which can be in physical, digital, or printed paper format. Digital copies are accessible via the eGovPh app.

PHOTO BY EGovPh

How to get the national ID

Don’t have a national ID yet? The DOTr-MRT-3 has collaborated with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to set up national ID Mobile Registration sites along the MRT-3 and LRT-2 lines.

For the MRT-3, these will be available at Shaw Station, Cubao Station, Ayala Station, and Taft Station from 6am to 10pm.

For the LRT-2, the registration stops are located in Antipolo Station (on Wednesdays only) and Recto Station from 8am to 5pm.

It’s also possible to head to any other fixed registration centers based in malls and other locations around the metro.

Steps to register for a national ID

1) Go to any registration center and bring your supporting documents

National ID Registration Centers can be found at the following sites:

1. Fixed Registration Centers at PSA Regional and Provincial Offices
2. Mall-based Registration Centers
3. Local Government Units (LGU-based Registration Centers)

The PSA also conducts mobile registration in far-flung areas via these:

• National ID on Wheels
• National ID on Boat

For the full list of registration centers, click here.

2) Present your supporting documents to the Registration Kit Operator (RKO)

Have your demographic data validated, and your biometric information such as fingerprint, iris scan, and front-facing image captured.

3) Review and confirm your demographic and biometric information

You will be issued a transaction slip containing your transaction reference number (TRN). Keep your transaction slip, as your TRN can be used to track your national ID delivery and the availability of the ePhilID/national ID in paper format.

Note: The ePhilID/national ID in paper format can also be obtained immediately after registering for the national ID system if it is confirmed that there is no duplicate or discrepancy in the personal information provided.

What are the requirements to register for a national ID?

To register for a national ID, the registrant is required to bring the original copy of any of the following primary documents:

• PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth AND one (1) government-issued identification document which bears full name, front-facing photograph, and signature or thumb mark.
• Philippine Passport or ePassport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);
• GSIS or SSS-issued Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card (UMID);
• Land Transportation Office-issued Student’s License Permit or Non-Professional/Professional Driver’s License.

If the registrant does not have any of the above-mentioned primary documents, he/she may bring any of the following secondary documents:

• PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/NSO-issued Certificate of Live Birth with Birth Reference Number (BreN)
• LCRO-issued Certificate of Live Birth
• PSA-issued Report of Birth
• PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Identification Card
• Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• SSS ID
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
• License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance/ID
• Solo Parent’s ID
• PWD ID
• Voter’s ID
• Postal ID
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
• PhilHealth ID
• Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-issued Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
• National ID from other countries
• Residence ID from other countries

The following identification documents shall also be accepted as secondary supporting documents provided that they have a front-facing photograph, signature/thumbmark, full name, permanent address, and date of birth.

• Employee ID
• School ID
• Barangay Clearance/Certificate
• Barangay ID
• City/Municipal ID

How long is the validity of the national ID?

According to PhilSys, for Filipino citizens, the national ID has no expiration and will only be renewed upon the updating of demographic information and biometric information.