SBG bats for hassle-free unified PWD ID system
The Unified Persons with Disabilities Identification System (UPWDIS) must be implemented efficiently and compassionately, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said, emphasizing the need to protect legitimate beneficiaries from unnecessary paperwork, repeated medical certifications, and barriers to accessing their legally mandated benefit.
“Let us not make life even more difficult for our fellow Filipinos with disabilities. They already face numerous challenges every day. If their condition is permanent and they have sufficient documentation, they should no longer be required to repeatedly visit government offices and incur additional expenses to prove their disability,” Go said.
His appeal follows the National Council on Disability Affairs’ (NCDA) 4 November announcement, which encouraged persons with disabilities nationwide to register under the unified digital identification system. The initiative seeks to consolidate PWD records into a secure national database, prevent fraudulent identification cards, and improve access to government-mandated privileges and benefits.
“We support digitalization to make service delivery faster, more efficient, and more secure. But we must ensure that the system is user-friendly and does not become an additional burden. Persons with genuine disabilities should be the first to benefit from this transformation,” Go emphasized.
Permanent ID system
Under NCDA Administrative Order 001, series of 2026, the unified system provides lifetime ID validity for persons with permanent disabilities, while IDs for persons with non-apparent disabilities are subject to revalidation every five years.
Holders of valid and unexpired physical PWD IDs generally need not submit another Certificate of Disability, as their existing documentation may be used for registration, subject to verification when necessary.
Go’s advocacy is reflected in his co-authorship of Senate Bill No. 1405, which seeks to institutionalize lifetime validity for PWD identification cards issued to persons with permanent disabilities. The senator emphasized that individuals with lifelong conditions should be spared from repeated medical examinations and administrative procedures that create additional expenses and inconvenience.
“If a disability is lifelong, the PWD ID should also be valid for life. It is unfair to make persons with disabilities repeatedly spend money on transportation, medical certificates, and other requirements every year or whenever their IDs need renewal. The government should be making their lives easier, not adding to their burdens,” Go stressed.