The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to fully implement a unified identification (ID) system for persons with disabilities (PWDs) by the end of 2025, an agency official announced on Sunday, Feb. 9.
“By the end of this year, mayroon na po tayong unified [PWD] ID (we will have a unified ID),” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the spokesperson of the DSWD, said in a radio interview.
The spokesperson said the agency has finalized the terms of reference in recent weeks.
“Nung mga nakaraang linggo, isinaayos na natin ang terms of reference para sa pagbuo ng unified ID system (In the past few weeks, we have finalized the terms of reference for the development of the unified ID system),” Dumlao said, adding that the framework for the new system is now in place.
The assistant secretary stressed that safeguarding personal information is a top priority for the DSWD.
“Nakipag-ugnayan din tayo sa National Privacy Commission because we wanted to ensure na mase-safeguard ’yung mga information that would be shared to the DSWD (We also coordinated with the National Privacy Commission because we wanted to ensure that the information to be shared with the DSWD is safeguarded).”
Dumlao further explained that the unified system will feature a physical ID component.
“’Yung unified ID system, mayroon siyang physical ID (The unified ID system has a physical ID),” she noted.
She said that the application and validation process will continue to be conducted by local government units (LGUs), specifically through their respective PWD Affairs Offices:
“The application and validation will still be done at the LGUs, particularly dun PWD Affairs Office,” Dumlao said.
The push for a unified PWD ID system comes amid growing concerns over the rampant circulation of fake PWD IDs—a problem that has triggered widespread abuse of government-granted privileges.
Earlier, the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (RESTO PH) denounced the “widespread abuse” of counterfeit PWD IDs, noting that the fraudulent use of these cards for discounts is placing serious strain on restaurants and other businesses.
Last December, the Bureau of Internal Revenue issued a stern warning against the sale and use of fake PWD IDs, cautioning that such acts could constitute tax evasion. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian reported that the government lost around P88.2 billion in taxes in 2023 due to the misuse of these IDs.
Under Republic Act 10754, persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20 percent discount and VAT exemption on the purchase of certain goods and services for their exclusive use, enjoyment, or availment.
By standardizing the design and establishing a digital counterpart that incorporates advanced security features such as RFID and biometric data, the DSWD aims not only to protect the benefits intended for legitimate PWDs but also to restore trust in the government’s social welfare programs.
The new system, which is already in the pilot stage, is part of a broader government effort to modernize public service delivery and ensure that the privileges provided under the law truly reach those in need.