Manila:The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has successfully trained personnel from approximately 1,350 local government units (LGUs) across the Philippines in preparation for the rollout of a unified digital ID system for persons with disabilities (PWDs), surpassing 80 percent of its target.

According to Philippines News Agency, the NCDA continues to engage with the remaining LGUs to ensure a smooth implementation of the unified system, as stated by NCDA spokesperson Walter Jason Alava during a recent interview. The registration process is currently conducted in person, while efforts are underway to facilitate online registration.

The NCDA is set to provide mobile and assisted registration services in remote areas and will equip LGUs with SIM cards, laptops, and signature pads to facilitate offline registration. For first-time applicants with non-apparent disabilities, a certificate of disability from a licensed physician or specialist is required. Those with apparent disabilities can present a government-issued ID or birth certificate without needing a disability certificate.

Existing PWD ID holders, who register, generally need a government-issued ID, with a new certificate required only if their medical documentation needs review by local officers. Unexpired PWD IDs issued by LGUs remain valid during the three-year transition under NCDA Administrative Order No. 1, series of 2026.

The verification process ensures privacy and security, with merchants able to scan QR codes on PWD IDs to verify them through the Department of Social Welfare and Development portal. Establishments are advised to presume the validity of PWD IDs, only verifying them if authenticity is in doubt. Authorized local officers have restricted access to their LGU's records, and the NCDA oversees the process with measures compliant with the Data Privacy Act.

LGUs that have not yet implemented the system are encouraged to email [email protected] to obtain their accounts and commence issuing digital IDs.