DSWD to pilot test unified PWD ID to combat fake cards
To address the issue of fraudulent PWD IDs, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will begin pilot testing a unified identification system starting in January.
NCDA, an agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said that the pilot testing will run for six months and will be rolled out in July.
“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 said.
The DSWD and NCDA will oversee the development of this unified ID system with the help of local government units (LGUs) and their respective Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAO).
This system will include both a physical and digital ID, incorporating the person's biometric data. The physical ID will be a high-security PVC card equipped with RFID technology, designed for offline use.
The digital ID will be available on a mobile app and web portal, enabling features such as QR code access.
Under the Republic Act (RA) 10754, or the Expanded Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability Act, individuals with disabilities are granted a 12% value-added tax exemption and a 20% discount on specific goods and services.
Restaurant owners have long been complaining about the rise of fake PWD IDs, which greatly affect their income.
In December 2024, Eric Teng, president of the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (Resto PH) told the Senate committee on ways and means that 25% or more of the sales in restaurants were affected by the PWD discounts.
"Our industry was about $16 billion (P939 billion) in 2023. If we were to factor about 25%, that means up to $1 billion (P58 billion) was lost in sales for 2023 alone,” he pointed out.
“The loss in revenue and harm to the legitimate PWD community is very, very real and it’s a clear and present danger for the survival of the restaurant industry,” Teng added.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), meanwhile, said that the use of fake IDs is a form of tax evasion.
"People who sell and use fake PWD IDs are not only committing tax evasion, they are also disrespecting legitimate and compliant PWDs," BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
He added that the BIR will "run after" fake PWD ID sellers and users.
