The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will pilot test the unified identification (ID) cards for persons with disabilities in 35 areas all over the country.
NCDA Executive Director (ED) Glenda Relova told Super Radyo DZBB on Tuesday (June 24) that the pilot testing will involve 200,000 persons with disabilities who will be able to use the new ID cards in July.
The unified ID system is an initiative of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian that aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr ‘s agenda to promote more inclusive programs and policies for persons with disabilities.
“Ini-expect po namin na by the third quarter o pagpasok po ng July, makakapagsimula na po kami ng aming pilot testing po ng ating unified ID system [for persons with disabilities],” Director Relova told DZBB anchors Arnold Clavio and Connie Sison.
The NCDA is mandated to lead the policy formulation, development, monitoring, and coordination of advocacies and programs for persons with disabilities.
During the interview, Director Relova said the NCDA already identified 35 pilot areas across the country to conduct the rollout of the unified ID system. The areas were identified based on two categories.
“Number one is sino yung maraming proliferation noong fake IDs. Pangalawa po, [nagtawag] si NCDA ng mga municipalities who want to participate, at sila po yung nagbigay ng intent na makasali sa ating pilot testing,” the NCDA head explained.
The pilot areas include Parang, Maguindanao from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; Dagupan City, San Carlos City, Urdaneta City, and Alaminos City in Pangasinan; Solano, Nueva Vizcaya; almost all municipalities in Bulacan; Cainta, San Mateo, Santa Rosa, Teresa, and Antipolo City in Rizal province; Carmona, Cavite; Pila, Laguna, Daet, Camarines Norte; Kalibo, Aklan; Candijay, Bohol; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Koronadal City and Surallah in South Cotabato; and the cities of Pasay and Muntinlupa in the National Capital region (NCR).
According to Director Relova, the physical IDs 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.
The NCDA head said the application, verification, and approval process for the unified ID will still be under the local government units (LGUs) through their respective Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAO).
The DSWD, on the other hand, will be the authority for the centralized printing and design of the unified ID. (AKDL)