The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its attached agency the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) have assured the public that the delivery of basic services to persons with disabilities (PWD) will not be hampered while the unified identification (ID) system is in the works.
Assistant Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the DSWD’s International Affairs, and Attached and Supervised Agencies (IAASA) said persons with disabilities can still avail of the 20 percent discount, value-added tax (VAT) exemption, and other services while transitioning from the old ID to the unified ID system.
“There will be a digital ID that will be issued by the system kung saan siya magre-register. While the applicant is waiting for the physical ID, he or she can use the digital ID, generated through the system. There will be no hampering of services and benefits for persons with disabilities,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna told reporters at a press conference on Friday (March 21) at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Auditorium in Quezon City.
The development of the unified ID system aims to address the illegal issuance, sale, and utilization of fake person with disability ID and boost the efficiency in the delivery of basic services to the vulnerable sector.
“Consistent with the pronouncement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, assuring persons with disabilities on the government’s effective implementation of beneficial policies and programs that will guarantee equitable opportunities, especially interventions and incentives during his 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian directed the establishment and development of the unified ID system,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna told reporters.
Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna pointed out that persons with disabilities need to re-apply for an ID once the unified system has been developed, emphasizing that they will be given a 12-month transition period.
“The persons with disabilities need to re-apply but there will be a transition period, hindi sya abrupt. Mayroon pong mga mechanism tayo na gagawin para masiguro na epektibo at naaayon sa mga pangangailangan ng persons with disabilities ang ating mga ginagawa sa gobyerno,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna explained.
During the transition period, extensive information and awareness campaigns will be conducted to ensure that while there are systems improvement, the benefits and privileges of the persons with disabilities will continue to be available.
Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna said the system will be pilot tested from July to December in the 32 selected LGUs across the country which is equivalent to 200,000 persons with disabilities or 10% of the total population of the persons with disabilities as of March 7.
“Makakatulong ang unified ID system not only to the DSWD but also to other government agencies and merchants because in that system they can check real time if verified or not verified ang issued physical or digital ID ng persons with disabilities,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna said.
Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna was joined in the news forum by Executive Director Glenda Relova of the NCDA; Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); and Division Chief Darrel Winthrop Torres of the PIA during the press conference. (YADP)