Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced its strong support for the nationwide implementation of the Unified Persons with Disabilities ID System (UPWDIS), a move aimed at not only enhancing the identification process but also promoting greater inclusion and equity for individuals with disabilities.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD emphasized the significance of the initiative, highlighting that it is not merely about issuing identification cards. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated, "This is not just about an identification card. Our goal is to create a better system to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, prevent duplication and fraud, and ensure that benefits and services go to the truly qualified beneficiaries."
The DSWD spokesperson further noted that the institutionalization of the Unified ID System marks a crucial step toward improving the delivery of services and safeguarding the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities. Dumlao added, "This is important to establish a more standardized, secure, and reliable system for identifying our persons with disabilities, ensuring they receive the benefits and privileges accorded to them by law."
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an agency under the DSWD, has issued Administrative Order No. 001, series of 2026, which outlines standardized guidelines for the issuance and verification of IDs for bona fide and qualified persons with disabilities nationwide. The UPWDIS will centrally manage the identification process, while local government units (LGUs) will handle the application, approval, issuance, and distribution of the physical cards through their Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAOs) and/or City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices.
Following the issuance of the administrative order, the DSWD and NCDA will co-chair the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group tasked with overseeing the system's development and implementation. This group includes representatives from the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Statistics Authority, National Privacy Commission, and the League of PDAO.
Initially piloted by the DSWD in 2025, the implementation will be phased over three years, with the next phase covering key provinces in Luzon and Visayas from September to October 2026. This phased approach aims for nationwide synchronization of the system. Mobile registration will be conducted for persons with disabilities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), while assisted registration services will be available for individuals unable to visit registration centers personally.
Dumlao assured that the DSWD would continue collaborating with NCDA, LGUs, and other government partners to ensure a smooth rollout and accessible registration process for persons with disabilities across the country. She emphasized, "The success of our Unified ID System depends on the cooperation of the national government, LGUs, and our partners. In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we are continuously collaborating to ensure easy access to registration and a seamless rollout, especially for persons with disabilities in geographically isolated areas, and those who require assistance with the process."
Persons with disabilities interested in registering for the Unified ID may visit their respective PDAOs or City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices for assistance and registration.
