The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched the pilot testing of a unified identification system for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to address the widespread issue of counterfeit PWD IDs. The test phase will run from January to June this year.
“This is a mechanism to address the proliferation of fake PWD IDs,” said DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao during an interview on Super Radyo DzBB.
The unified PWD ID will standardize the design, which currently varies across local government units. It will also include security features such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and require biometric information during the application process.
Additionally, establishments will have access to a web portal to verify the authenticity of the IDs and their users.
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an agency attached to the DSWD, has urged the public to report individuals responsible for creating and spreading fake IDs. Reports can be sent to the NCDA via email at council@ncda.gov.ph, through their social media pages, or to the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) under local government units.
Under Republic Act 10754, PWDs are entitled to a 20% discount and VAT exemption on select goods and services, but these benefits are exclusive to legitimate ID holders.
