The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said persons with disabilities (PWD) identification cards (ID) are still valid even if “no records found” shows in its registry.

In a message to the DAILY TRIBUNE, a representative of the DOH clarified that if no records found appears, “it might mean that the details haven’t been uploaded to the registry or the inputted ID number is wrong.”

The DOH aslo urged the PWD to confirm with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the province or city they registered at to confirm the validity of the ID.

“Go to the PDAO of the locality where your ID was issued and ask if your details were uploaded to the DOH Registry,” the DOH said.

“Your PDAO should be able to verify this and be able to give you advice on the next steps,” it added.

The DOH stressed that it is the one that maintains the system but only the local government units (LGUs)/PDAO can input/register individuals to the system.

Additionally, if a PWID is not in the list of DOH Registry, the Health department advised to do the following:

• Go to https://pwd.doh.gov.ph/home.php and click the ID verification tab;

• Make sure that the ID number inputted is correct; 

• Some LGUs have different formatting of the ID number, you can call/inquire with them how to properly input your ID number:

  Example: the sequential number in the ID only has five digits then you can add “00” at the front of the sequential number; and

• If there is still no record after troubleshooting, you need to approach the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of your locality that issued the ID.

Fake PWD ID users warned

The DOH also warned those using fake PWD IDs, saying they may be punishable by law as stated in the Republic Act 7277 Section 46 or An Act Providing For The Rehabilitation, Self-Development And Self-Reliance Of Disabled Person And Their Integration Into The Mainstream Of Society And For Other Purposes.

The agency reminded that for the first violation, a fine of not less than P50,000 but not exceeding P100,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court may be imposed. 

For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than P100,000 but not exceeding P200,000 or imprisonment for not less than two years but not more than six years, or both at the discretion of the court, may be slapped at violators.

Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months or a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P50,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.

If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials thereof directly involved shall be liable therefore.

Moreover, if the violator is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence without further deportation proceedings.

Last December, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) warned that it will launch a nationwide crackdown on the sale and use of fake PWD IDs.

The BIR said people selling and using fake PWD IDs are committing tax evasion.

The agency also noted that the practice has cost government revenue losses of about P88.2 billion in 2023 alone.

As of 9 November 2024, there were about 1.8 million registered PWDs in the country, according to the DOH, however, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the number of PWD IDs circulating in the Philippines is at eight million.

A PWD ID lists a host of benefits, including a 20-percent discount on essential services and goods aside from an exemption from the payment of the 12-percent value-added tax on certain goods. 

The discount is from all establishments on the use of services in hotels and restaurants; admission fees in theaters and places of culture, leisure and amusement; medicine purchases; medical and dental services in all private hospitals; fares for domestic air and sea travel, public railways, and skyways; and bus fares.

The law also requires the provision of express lanes for PWDs in all commercial and government establishments.