Senator Mark Villar filed Senate Bill No. 2134, a measure seeking to grant free Persons with Disability (PWD) Identification Cards with lifetime validity to qualified individuals with permanent disabilities nationwide.
According to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), more than 2.5 million Filipinos are currently registered as persons with disabilities.
However, many PWDs continue to face challenges in accessing government services and benefits due to registry-related issues and repetitive documentary requirements.
Villar noted that these difficulties are further aggravated by the current requirement for PWDs to undergo medical evaluations and ID renewals every five years, despite the permanent nature of their condition.
“Hindi na dapat dagdagan pa ng pahirap at gastusin ang ating mga kababayang PWDs at kanilang mga pamilya.”
“Hindi na dapat dagdagan pa ng pahirap at gastusin ang ating mga kababayang PWDs at kanilang mga pamilya. Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, gagawin nating libre at lifetime ang validity ng PWD IDs para sa mga kababayan nating may permanenteng kapansanan,” thee legislator said.
The PWD ID system is implemented under Republic Act No. 9442, which amended the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability to provide additional privileges and protections for PWDs. The identification card serves as official proof of eligibility, allowing persons with disabilities to access discounts on medicines, transportation, basic necessities, and other benefits provided under the law.
Under the proposed measure, persons with permanent disabilities will be exempted from the current five-year renewal requirement for PWD IDs, while ensuring that the issuance of lifetime-validity IDs remains free of charge.
The bill also provides that permanent disabilities must be certified by the Municipal or City Health Office and verified by the Local Social Welfare and Development Office.
“Nananawagan din tayo sa mga kinauukulan na ayusin at palakasin ang registry system ng ating mga PWD.”
“Bukod dito, nananawagan din tayo sa mga kinauukulan na ayusin at palakasin ang registry system ng ating mga PWD upang matiyak na tuloy-tuloy nilang matatanggap ang mga benepisyong nararapat para sa kanila,” Villar added.
“Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy nating itataguyod ang kapakanan, dignidad, at inklusibong paglahok ng mga PWD sa ating lipunan,” he concluded.
