The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Council on Disability Affairs are moving forward with the nationwide rollout of the unified identification (ID) system for persons with disabilities.
This initiative aims to standardize registration, strengthen verification, and ensure the protection of persons with disabilities across the Philippines, NCDA said.
“We are actually on the rollout stage, so this initiative strengthens accessibility, ensures accurate records, and protects the rights of persons with disabilities in the Philippines,” council spokesman Walter Alava said.
Alava told a Senate inquiry last year that some P88.2 billion in revenue was lost due to the widespread issuance of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities.
The varying processes followed by local government units have led to validation gaps, incomplete records, and even the distribution of fraudulent IDs.
“We want all our LGUs to be encoded in the system so that we have a 24/7 verification system,” Alava said.
This challenge led to the creation of a unified ID system between the NCDA and DSWD to address gaps by harmonizing nationwide registration, verification, and database management.
The rollout of the unified system is being implemented in three major phases.
The first phase started in August 2025 and involved pre-pilot testing in five selected local government units (LGUs): the Cities of Manila, Pasay, and Muntinlupa; San Miguel in Bulacan; and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
This phase aimed to test the workflow, validation processes, and required data fields, and to identify improvements to the system.
The second phase included capacity building for 35 LGUs, with a training session held on Sept. 25, focusing on encoding, verification, overall system usage, and integrating improvements into the system.
The third phase, encompassing regional rollouts, began in October and will continue through this month across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. A total of 537 LGUs have completed their training.
The unified ID card features a unique QR code that, when scanned, directs establishments to a verification portal.
The system accommodates both digital and printed identification cards, with printing options provided by the LGUs.
