Starting July 2025, the Philippine government will roll out a Unified Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ID System in 35 towns and cities. The program, led by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), aims to stop the use of fake PWD IDs and make it easier for qualified individuals to access benefits.
The new system will replace the current setup where local governments issue their own IDs. Instead, there will be one standard ID issued by a central authority.
The ID will be available in both physical and digital formats. The physical card will include an RFID tag and connect to the National ID and e-verifier systems for faster and more secure verification.
Registration will be done online, but help will be available at local Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) desks for those who need assistance.
Applicants must submit valid documents, especially for non-visible disabilities like mental health conditions. The Department of Health will release updated disability categories and a list of approved medical certifiers.
The pilot program will cover areas in Pangasinan, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Metro Manila, Bicol, Aklan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
