The Unified Persons with Disabilities Identification System is expanding its rollout this September across designated provinces in Luzon and the Visayas, following its initial pilot launch in 2025.
The phased implementation will stretch across three years, with the upcoming phase scheduled to run through September and October.
Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao reaffirmed the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) support for institutionalizing the new ID framework, highlighting its role in establishing a standardized, fraud-resistant identification process.
“Hindi lamang po ito tungkol sa isang identification card. Ang layunin po natin ay magkaroon ng mas maayos na sistema upang maprotektahan ang karapatan ng ating mga persons with disabilities, maiwasan ang duplication at fraud, at masiguro na ang mga benepisyo at serbisyo ay napupunta sa mga tunay na kwalipikadong beneficiaries,” Dumlao said.
“Bilang isa sa mga tumulong na buuin ang sistema, buong suporta po ang DSWD sa institutionalization ng Unified Persons with Disabilities ID System. Mahalaga po ito upang magkaroon tayo ng mas standardized, secure, at reliable na sistema sa pagkilala sa ating mga persons with disabilities at sa pagtiyak na makukuha nila ang mga benepisyo at pribilehiyong naaayon sa batas,” she added.
To govern the expansion, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)—an attached agency of the DSWD—issued Administrative Order No. 001, Series of 2026, outlining the verification and issuance protocols nationwide.
While data will be centrally managed through the unified system, local government units (LGUs) will oversee application processing, approval, and physical card distribution via their respective Persons with Disabilities Affairs Offices (PDAOs) or City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices.
Card validity will depend on the nature of the disability: individuals with permanent conditions will receive lifetime valid IDs, whereas those with non-apparent disabilities will undergo revalidation every five years or as mandated by implementing guidelines.
Dumlao assured that the DSWD will work closely with the NCDA, LGUs, and partner institutions to keep registration accessible throughout the nationwide expansion.