Unified disability ID to help solve fraud – Speaker

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez hailed the government’s pilot rollout of the unified identification system for persons with disabilities (PWD), reassuring the public that this will help thwart its fraudulent use. 

“This is a strong response to the long-standing abuse of fraudulent PWD IDs that hurt businesses and cast doubt on legitimate beneficiaries,” Romualdez said, describing it as “a milestone in dignity, fairness, and service” for one of society’s most vulnerable sectors.

“This unified ID will make life easier for our PWDs by ensuring that services and benefits reach them without delay, confusion, or unfair treatment,” the Speaker said, commending the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under Secretary Rex Gatchalian. 

“Through the initiative of the DSWD’s National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), scammers, opportunists and those who want to steal from our vulnerable people will now have a hard time taking advantage from them, and this will eventually be stopped,” said Romualdez – principal author of House Bill 16, which seeks to enhance discounts for senior citizens and PWDs.

The DSWD earlier announced the pilot implementation has begun in 35 areas nationwide, starting in San Miguel, Bulacan.

The unified PWD ID system aims to eliminate fake IDs and restore public trust in the benefits granted under the law.

Around 200,000 PWDs are expected to join the pilot rollout, with full implementation benefiting an estimated two million PWDs nationwide.

Apart from Bulacan, the program will also be introduced this week in Pasay, Muntinlupa and Santa Rosa City in Laguna. 

The pilot run covers 35 local government units (LGU) across the country, including areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Rizal, Cavite, Camarines Norte, Aklan, Bohol, Bukidnon and South Cotabato.

Under the new system, LGUs will process applications, verify eligibility and approve unified PWD IDs through their Persons with Disability Affairs Offices, while the NCDA will handle centralized ID printing.

Security features include a digital ID accessible via mobile app or web portal, a QR code for instant verification by business establishments and an RFID-enabled physical card for added protection.

Earlier this year, Romualdez condemned the rampant abuse of fake PWD IDs, pointing out while businesses suffer losses, legitimate PWDs face unfair suspicion and are sometimes forced to justify their conditions.