NCDA to Pilot Test ID System for PWDs, Urges Public to Report Fake ID Sellers

In a previous post, we talked about how persons with disabilities (PWDs) can apply for a PWD ID Card. Unfortunately, there are people who have been taking advantage by creating and selling fake IDs. For this reason, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has decided to come up with a unified ID system for PWDs.

From January to June this 2025, the NCDA, an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will be pilot testing the Unified Identification (ID) system, to be rolled out across the Philippines in July. The system aims to combat the illegal issuance, sale, and usage of fake PWD IDs in the country.

NCDA Pilot Test ID System PWDs
Image Credit: Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD / Facebook

Benefits and Privileges of PWDs

At present, PWDs are entitled to certain benefits and privileges (link), as mandated by Republic Act 10754 or “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.”

R.A. 10754 states that PWDs can avail of 20 percent discount and exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) when paying for certain goods and services. They may also avail of educational assistance, social insurance, and a special discount (5 percent) when buying basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).

Furthermore, the law stipulates that the PWD discount covers restaurants, lodging establishment (e.g. hotels, inns, dormitories), and recreation centers (e.g. cinemas, theaters, and concert halls). It also applies to payments for: dental and medical services; foods and medicines for special medical purposes; laboratory fees; doctors’ professional fees; domestic travel (i.e. by land, air, or sea); and funeral and burial services.

Coming Soon: Unified ID System for PWDs

According to a press release, the NCDA will pilot test a unified ID system for PWDS. “Nagkaroon po tayo ng round-table discussion… Doon po ay nagkaroon ng pagbabalangkas na mag-iissue po ang DSWD ng isang unified ID system (We had a roundtable discussion… Where it was decided that the DSWD will issue a unified ID system),” NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova stated last week during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum held in Quezon City.

Inaantay lang po namin na ma-finalize ang terms of reference para ma-plantsa po natin ang different phases ng pag-rerelease ng ID (We are just waiting for the final terms of reference so that we can proceed with the different phases of releasing the ID),” Relova said.

The NCDA Executive Director explained that members of their Governing Board, which is chaired by the DSWD, made the recommendations in order to address the abuse on availment of discounts and privileges for PWDs.

The DSWD and NCDA will manage the creation of a unified ID system for PWDs, in coordination with the Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAOs) from all local government units (LGUs). Although DSWD will be the central authority that will issue the unified PWD ID, it will still be the PDAO that will manage the application, verification, and approval process for the said IDs.

Features of PWD Unified ID System

What exactly will the unified PWD ID look like? First of all, it will feature a physical ID as well as a digital ID. Both shall include biometric information of the PWD to prevent fraud.

Notably, the physical ID will be RFID (radio frequency identification) enabled, which means that the PVC card would have high-security features that are designed for offline use. On the other hand, the digital ID will be accessed through a mobile app or web portal; it will feature QR codes for quick verification.

Regarding the unified ID system web portal, NCDA Executive Director Relova explained that this will be used for real-time updates and local level ID verification, in connection with the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability (PRPWD).

NCDA Pilot Test ID System PWDs
Image Credit: Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD / Facebook

Public Urged to Report Sellers of Fake PWD IDs

Meanwhile, the NCDA continues to urge the public to report persons or groups that are engaged in the sale and illegal use of fake PWD ID cards, as these are being abused in the availment of benefits and privileges provided by R.A. 10754 solely for PWDs.

Kami po ay nananawagan sa publiko. Alam naman natin na yung proliferation ng fake IDs, tayo yung nag-bear ng burden, ganun na rin yung mga lehitimong miyembro ng sektor ng mga may kapansanan kaya nananawagan po kami sa publiko na kung may kakilala sila na mga hoarder ng mga fake persons with disability IDs, i-report lang po sa National Council on Disability Affairs (We are calling on the public. We all know about the proliferation of fake IDs; we are the ones bearing the burden, along with the legitimate members of the sector who have disability, so we are calling on the public; if they know anyone who is a hoarder of fake PWD IDs, please report them to the National Council on Disability Affairs),” stated NCDA Executive Director Relova, as cited in a press release.

How to Report Fake PWD ID Sellers

If you know any person or group that is engaged in creating and selling fake PWD IDs, you can report it to the NCDA through their social media pages, or by sending an email to council@ncda.gov.ph.

Another option would be to report these persons and groups to the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in your area, or to any law enforcement agency.

Video: News Report on PWD Unified ID System

To learn more about the new ID system, watch this video featuring a news report by Felix Tambongco of DZRJ 810 AM – Radyo Bandido. In this video, NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova talks about the unified ID system for PWDs:

Final Thoughts

Let us keep in mind that R.A. 10754 provides special benefits and privileges to legitimate persons with disabilities (PWDs) only. The creation, sale, and usage of fake PWD IDs is against the law. You can fight against these criminal acts by reporting sellers of fake IDs to the NCDA, PNP, or to the nearest PDAO office in your locality.

Aside from special discounts and privileges, PWDs may also benefit from government programs that are designed for them. One of these is the Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW), which provides livelihood training and opportunities to PWDs.