The Unified Identification (ID) system for persons with disabilities is expected to be pilot tested from January to June and will be rolled out across the country in July, an official of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) said on Thursday (January 9).
The NCDA is an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The issuance of the unified ID system is one of the proposed recommendations to address the illegal issuance, sale, and utilization of fake Persons with Disability ID.
“Nagkaroon po tayo ng round-table discussion…doon po ay nagkaroon ng pagbabalangkas na mag-iissue po ang DSWD ng isang unified ID system. Inaantay lang po naming na ma-finalize ang terms of reference para ma-plantsa po natin ang different phases ng pag-rerelease ng ID,” NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova told reporters at the DSWD’s Thursday Media Forum held at the agency’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
According to Director Relova, the members of the NCDA Governing Board, chaired by the DSWD, came up with recommendations to address the concerns regarding the abuse on the availment of statutory discounts and privileges for persons with disabilities as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 10754, also known as An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.
The creation of a unified ID system for persons with disabilities will be managed by the DSWD and the NCDA, in collaboration with local government units (LGUs), through their respective Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAO).
Director Relova said that during their initial discussion, the application, verification, and approval process will still be under the PDAO. The DSWD, on the other hand, will be the central authority that will issue the unified ID.
The unified ID system will feature both a physical ID and a digital ID with the biometric data of the person with disability to prevent fraud.
The physical ID will be RFID (radio frequency identification) -enabled PVC cards with high-security features intended for offline use.
Meanwhile, the digital ID will be accessible via a mobile app or web portal, with features such as QR codes for quick verification.
Director Relova pointed out that the unified ID system will employ a web-based portal that can be used for real-time updating and local-level ID verification linked to the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability (PRPWD). (AKDL/DSWD)