The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will pilot test the unified identification (ID) cards for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in 35 local government units (LGUs) nationwide.
NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova noted the pilot testing will involve 200,000 PWDs who will be able to use the new ID cards in July.
The unified ID system is an initiative of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian that aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda to promote more inclusive programs and policies for PWDs.
“We expect that by the third quarter or the beginning of July, we will be able to start our pilot testing of our unified ID system (for PWDs),” Relova said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The NCDA is mandated to lead the policy formulation, development, monitoring, and coordination of advocacies and programs for PWDs.
Meanwhile, Relova said the NCDA already identified 35 pilot areas across the country based on two categories: “Number one is who has the most proliferation of fake IDs. Secondly, NCDA (called) the municipalities that want to participate, and they are the ones who gave the intent to participate in our pilot testing.”
Pilot areas include Parang, Maguindanao from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); Dagupan City, San Carlos City, Urdaneta City, and Alaminos City in Pangasinan; Solano, Nueva Vizcaya; almost all municipalities in Bulacan; Cainta, San Mateo, Santa Rosa, Teresa, and Antipolo City in Rizal province; Carmona, Cavite; Pila, Laguna, Daet, Camarines Norte; Kalibo, Aklan; Candijay, Bohol; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Koronadal City and Surallah in South Cotabato; and the cities of Pasay and Muntinlupa in the National Capital region (NCR).
According to Relova, the physical IDs will be RFID (radio frequency identification)-enabled PVC cards with high-security features intended for offline use. Additionally, the digital ID will be accessible via a mobile app or web portal, with features like QR codes for quick verification.
The NCDA head said the application, verification, and approval process for the unified ID will still be under LGUs through their respective PWD Affairs Offices.
The DSWD will be the authority for the centralized printing and design of the unified ID.
