Having a disability does not mean a person cannot be a regular part of society. Sure, we may have to make special arrangements to eliminate environmental and social barriers and enable them to work, learn, and engage with the community. However, this does not mean they can’t be independent and involved. A person with a disability (PWD) can be a part of society with the proper provisions.
In the Philippines, the government has made provisions to help give PWDs an equal chance in society. They offer a solution: the PWD ID, a standard identification card for persons with disability (PWDs) in the Philippines, provides discounts and other benefits as mandated by the Republic Act 9442 as an amendment to Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and Other Purposes.
Who qualifies as a Person with Disability (PWD)?
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), PWDs are those with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities that restrict their full and effective participation in life situations within the society on an equal basis with others.
According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), disability refers to “impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions.” They defined impairment as “a problem in body function or structure; activity limitation as a difficulty encountered by an individual when executing tasks or actions; and participation restriction as the problems experienced by an individual in actual life situations.”
With the ICF’s definition in mind, a PWD would find it challenging to be on equal footing with the rest of the society, given the contextual factors (environmental and personal factors) they are in. That said, PWDs must get support in any form.
What does it mean to be a PWD in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, PWDs with a permanent disability are afforded unique benefits under the Republic Act 10754. They are eligible for PWD ID because they have “long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments.”
The Department of Health (DOH) said that people with the following types of disabilities could be considered PWDs:
- Psychosocial disability including
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- ADHD
- schizophrenia
- epilepsy
- other long-term and recurring mental or behavioral issues
- Disability resulting from a chronic illness like:
- orthopedic disability due to cancer
- blindness due to diabetes, and
- other disabilities due to a chronic disease
- Learning disability
Note that this includes processing problems that hinder learning math, reading, writing, and other essential skills - Visual disability
Note that the PWD ID is given to individuals whose visual impairment can’t be corrected, provided that they can present a medical certificate from their ophthalmologist with a clearance of functional limitation due to poor eyesight. A simple poor vision doesn’t qualify a person for a PWD ID. - Orthopedic (Musculoskeletal) disability
- People with dwarfism
- People with amputated hands or feet.
- Individuals with scoliosis
- Mental/Intellectual disability
- Hearing disability
- Speech impairment
- Multiple disabilities
What are the benefits afforded exclusively to PWD ID holders in the Philippines?
- No less than twenty per cent (20%) discount from all establishments, including hotels and other businesses offering accommodations; food, and recreation services
- At least twenty per cent (20%) discount on admission fees in theatres, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other places related to culture, leisure, and amusement
- Minimum of twenty per cent (20%) discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores,
- At the minimum, a twenty per cent (20%) discount on medical and dental services offered by government facilities, including diagnostic and laboratory fees like x-rays, computerized tomography scans, blood tests, subject to the regulations from the Department of Health (DOH) and in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
- Minimum of twenty per cent (20%) discount on medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of all attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities, subject to the rules and regulations of the DOH, in partnership with PhilHealth;
- Minimum of Twenty per cent (20%) discount on fare for domestic air and sea travel
- A minimum of twenty per cent (20%) discount on public railways, skyways and bus fare
- Educational assistance to help persons with a disability pursue public and private primary, secondary, tertiary, post-tertiary, and vocational or technical education, given in the form of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies and other incentives like support for books, learning material, and uniform allowances long as they meet the minimum admission requirements;
- The same benefits and privileges from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), and PAG-IBIG (HDMF), as enjoyed by those in actual service.
- Special discounts in special programs for PWD related to purchasing of essential commodities, subject to guidelines from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agricultural (DA); and
- Provision of express lanes or priority service for persons with disability (PWDs) in all commercial and government establishments
To check the SSS benefits for people with disabilities, check How to Claim SSS Disability Pension.
How to apply for a Persons with Disability (PWD) ID?
Applying for the issuance of the Persons with Disability (PWD) ID can be done two ways: (1) through a walk-in application and (2) via an online application.
How do I apply for the Persons with Disability (PWD) ID thru a “walk-in application”?
Visit the nearest Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Office to your residence and submit the complete requirements.
For more information on walk-in applications for the issuance of PWD ID, you may also check our previous article on How to Apply for a PWD ID for Persons with Disabilities.
How to apply for a PWD ID online?
If you opt for the online application, then these are the steps that you should follow:
Step 1: Click Online Application at the Menu and fill out the application form.
Step 2: Once you’ve filled out the Online Application Form, click Add.
Step 3: Carefully review the details of your application and ensure that all of the information provided is accurate.
Step 4: Once reviewed, Click Edit if you wish to change any information on your application. Otherwise, click Confirm to submit the form.
Step 5: Once submitted, you should see a system receipt message that reads, “Application submitted successfully!”
Step 6: After successfully submitting the PWD ID application form, you may visit the nearest Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO/CSWDO)—the designated PWD ID issuing office near you.
Note: Make sure to bring all the documentary requirements to complete your Person with Disability ID Card (PIC) application.
What requirements do I need to submit to complete the Persons with Disability ID application?
When visiting the nearest MSWDO/CSWDO from your residence, here are the things that you should bring:
- Two (2) “1×1” ID pictures were taken recently, with the names and signatures or thumb marks at the back of the picture.
- One (1) valid government-issued ID, or in the absence of a valid ID, a barangay clearance/certification.
- Either one of the following:
- Disability Certificate
- Medical Certificate
- School Assessment
For guidance on how to secure a barangay clearance, you may check this article on How to Apply for a Barangay Clearance, Police Clearance, NBI Clearance.
If you need a government-issued ID, then you may check this guide on How to Register PhilSys ID Online (Philippine National ID) Step 1 and How to Book PhilSys Online Appointment – Philippine National ID Appointment. You may also try and secure a Postal ID by following the steps listed How to Renew Philippine Postal ID.
What is the validity of the PWD ID? Is it renewable?
Note that the PWD ID issued free of charge to the PWD and will be valid for a maximum of three (3) years. In the event of a renewal, be it due to expiration, loss or damage, the PWD shall be charged a minimal fee.
How to use the Persons with Disability (PWD) ID?
The PWD ID shall serve as the Standard National Identification Card for all registered Persons with Disability (PWD). This shall serve as proof of eligibility when they avail any of the 20% discount and other benefits as provided for by the RA 9442.
What are the penalties for the misuse of the PWD ID?
Any form of abuse of the PWD ID by any person, corporation, institution and/or entity is punishable by law or can be penalized subject to the discretion of the ruling court.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it mandatory for the applicants for a PWD ID to submit a voter’s certificate?
No, applicants for the issuance of the PWD ID should present any valid government-issued ID, or if it’s not available, a Barangay Clearance/Certificate.
Can I not go to the Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officer when applying for the PWD ID online?
No. A successful online application does not mean the issuance of the PWD ID. You will still need to personally appear at the nearest MSWDO/CSWDO with your complete documentary requirements for the ID to be issued.
Can I verify the status of my Persons with Disability ID card online?
Yes. To do so, You may follow these steps:
1. Select and click ID Verification from the Menu.
2. Then key in your ID number to check the status of your PWD ID.
What if the PWD is bedridden or immobile and unable to physically appear at the issuing office to submit the documentary requirements?
Suppose the PWD cannot be physically present at the MSWDO/CSWDO. In that case, they may send a representative or their Guardian, along with an authorization letter and all the other requirements to be submitted on their behalf so they can create a PRPWD user account and issue a PWD ID.
What is the Philippine Registry for Person with Disability (PRPWD) User Account?
The Philippine Registry for Person with Disability (PRPWD) User Account is the system where the authorized Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDO/CSWDO), Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) issue Persons with Disability (PWD) ID.
Who can request for PRPWD User Account?
Only the personnel who are Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDO/CSWDO), or those from the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) who are authorized to issue Persons with Disability (PWD) ID can create or request for a PRPWD User Account. The Persons with Disability (PWDs) who are asking for ID no longer need to ask for a PRPWD User Account.
How to request for PRPWD User Account?
1. Click the Login button from the Menu.
2. At the Login page, click the Register button, then fill out the form.
3. After filling out the form, click Add.
4. Review your registration details.
5. Click the Edit button to edit your details. If the information entered is correct already, click Confirm to submit the form.
6. The system will send a message acknowledging the receipt of your application. The message reads, “Please click here to download the SRF. Registration Successful!” You will then need to email the duly accomplished Service Request Form (SRF) to diseaseregistry.doh@gmail.com and authenticate your registration.
7. You will receive an email message with your login information from the system.
Note that this is only reserved for Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDO/CSWDO), or those from the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) who are authorized to issue Persons with Disability (PWD) ID. .
What do we do if we forget our User Account password and the “Forgot Password” is not working?
1. Go to https://srs.doh.gov.ph/servicerequest
2. Fill out the Service Request Form (SRF) and click Submit.
3. Click Print to print the Service Request Form.
4. Accomplish the Form and have it signed by your Head of Office.
5. Submit a scanned copy of the signed Accomplishment Form and send it via email to diseaseregistry.doh@gmail.com for verification.
(Note that the original document shall serve as your copy.)
6. Kindly wait for an email response from Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service (KMITS) staff for 2-3 working days.
Note that this is only reserved for Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDO/CSWDO), or those from the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) who are authorized to issue Persons with Disability (PWD) ID.
Where do I get a copy of the Service Request Form (SRF)?
You may get a copy by going to the Downloads Menu or https://srs.doh.gov.ph/servicerequest and filling out the form directly.
Note that this is only reserved for Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDO/CSWDO), or those from the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) who are authorized to issue Persons with Disability (PWD) ID.
What is the use of the Service Request Form (SRF)?
Service Request Form (SRF) is submitted if you need to request for new/retrieval of PRPWD user account, if you need to ask for technical assistance, or if you need to see the User’s Training for PRPWD system.
Note that this is only reserved for Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDO/CSWDO), or those from the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) who are authorized to issue Persons with Disability (PWD) ID.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the steps to acquire a PWD ID in the Philippines, along with the benefits that it entails, you may now secure one if you are eligible. However, do note that not all PWD ID applications get approved. The government is pretty strict when evaluating applicants. Some people also abuse the system by faking their disability or using a fake ID to enjoy PWD discounts and privileges. This is why disability must be confirmed first before an applicant is issued a PWD ID.
Note that if your PWD ID application is declined, it may be because of some issues with the documentary requirements submitted. The registration officer in charge of your application will let you know about any PWD ID application deficiency, so you can apply again when you acquire all the PWD ID requirements.