CEBU CITY, Philippines — Getting a National ID in Cebu City could become more convenient for residents who cannot visit government offices during regular working hours.
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The Cebu City 24/7 Government Services Hub, also known as the “Mayor of the Night” center, will offer National ID services around the clock from September 21 to 26, 2026, giving Cebuanos another venue to access Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) services outside the usual government-office schedule.
The temporary expansion is particularly significant for Cebu’s large population of night-shift and BPO workers, many of whom have difficulty completing government transactions while working conventional daytime schedules.
The hub is located on the second floor of Cebu Exchange Tower along Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, near the Cebu IT Park area. The facility was established as a one-stop government center designed to bring several public services closer to residents who cannot easily transact during traditional office hours.
National ID services move closer to Cebu’s night-shift workers
The addition of National ID services expands the range of transactions available at the 24/7 center.
PSA services at the hub have included National ID registration, issuance of the National ID in paper format or ePhilID, and other National ID-related services, according to information released about the PSA’s operations at the facility.
The development comes as PSA Central Visayas continues its effort to expand National ID registration and make services more accessible.
Earlier this year, PSA-7 shifted its Cebu Fixed Registration Center to an appointment-based system, beginning March 23, to better regulate client flow and reduce long queues. Priority walk-ins, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, continue to be accommodated.
Cebu’s National ID push is far from over
The move to expand access comes as hundreds of thousands of people in Central Visayas remain outside the National ID system.
PSA data cited by the Philippine Information Agency showed that, as of January 31, 2026, about 5.92 million people in Central Visayas had been registered, equivalent to 89.2% of the region’s 2024 population. Around 717,000 residents remained unregistered, including approximately 592,650 in Cebu province and 124,490 in Bohol.
PSA-7 has responded by combining appointment-based registration with mobile registration activities aimed at reaching communities that may have difficulty traveling to fixed registration centers.
The agency conducted multiple mobile registration activities across Cebu earlier this year, including deployments to geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.
The 24/7 hub was built with Cebu’s “night economy” in mind
Cebu City launched the 24/7 government service hub in March, with operations beginning in April. The facility was designed particularly with BPO employees and other workers on nontraditional schedules in mind.
SunStar Cebu reported that the center brings multiple government offices together in one location and operates around the clock, including weekends. The facility was also intended to reduce the need for workers to take time off just to complete government transactions.
The hub has hosted services involving the City Treasurer’s Office, Business Permit and Licensing Office, Cebu City Transportation Office, Office of the Civil Registrar and City Health Office, alongside participating national government agencies.
The Freeman also reported in July that PSA National ID services, PhilPost and PhilHealth were among the services available at the center.
What applicants should remember
While the Sept. 21–26 arrangement provides expanded access, applicants should still verify the specific National ID service, documentary requirements and appointment arrangements before heading to the hub.
PSA has emphasized appointment-based processing at its Cebu Fixed Registration Center as part of its effort to manage queues. Its official advisory says applicants can book through the designated National ID appointment system, while priority groups may still use the special lane for walk-in transactions.
The PSA’s broader strategy also includes digital and paper versions of the National ID. During recent community activities in Central Visayas, PSA personnel assisted residents with National ID registration, ePhilID issuance, Transaction Reference Number verification and access to the Digital National ID.
For Cebu residents—particularly workers whose shifts begin after most government offices close—the expansion of National ID services at the 24/7 hub could mean fewer missed work hours and fewer trips to government offices.
And with PSA still working to register hundreds of thousands of remaining residents in Central Visayas, the Cebu City hub represents another step toward bringing National ID services closer to the people.