Senator Mark Villar is pushing for the issuance of free, lifetime-validity identification cards for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under Senate Bill No. 2134, aiming to reduce the administrative burden faced by millions of Filipinos with permanent disabilities.
The proposal seeks to eliminate the current requirement for PWD ID renewal every five years for individuals with permanent conditions, while also ensuring that the issuance of IDs remains free of charge.
The initiative comes amid reports that many of the more than 2.5 million registered PWDs in the country continue to face difficulties accessing government benefits due to recurring documentation requirements and inconsistencies in registry systems.
Under the proposed measure, permanent disability must be certified by a municipal or city health office and verified by the local social welfare and development office to qualify for lifetime validity.
The PWD ID system, implemented under Republic Act No. 9442, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, serves as the primary document for accessing government-mandated benefits such as discounts on medicines, transportation, basic goods, and other essential services.
Villar’s proposal seeks to streamline access to these benefits and ensure that persons with permanent disabilities are no longer subjected to repeated renewal processes that add to their hardship.
