A proposal to grant “lifetime” validity to certain Persons with Disability (PWD) identification cards gained support from Filipinos.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, filed Senate Bill 1405 to amend the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, proposing “lifetime validity” for PWD IDs issued to individuals with certified permanent disabilities.
“Presently, PWD IDs require periodic renewal even for those with permanent disabilities, creating an undue burden. A burden that is not only inconvenient but unnecessary,” Tulfo said in his explanatory note.
Tulfo said granting lifetime validity to PWD IDs for those with permanent disabilities reinforces the government’s “commitment to inclusivity, social justice, and the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.”
“This is a small but meaningful step toward respecting PWDs’ rights, easing their burdens, and streamlining public service,” the senator wrote.
The bill provides that a disability must first be certified as “permanent” by the municipal or city health office and verified by the Local Social Welfare Development Office (LSWDO) before a lifetime PWD ID can be issued.
Holders may still renew their lifetime PWD ID in cases of loss or damage.
“Kung talagang ‘yung tao po ay lifetime na po ‘yung kanyang kapansanan, eh, bakit pa po kailangan i-renew niya ng paulit-ulit, taon-taon, o every two years, or every three years? Eh, lifetime na nga po,” Tulfo said in an interview.
The lawmaker clarified that the proposed measure prioritizes individuals with permanent disabilities, while the system for those with treatable conditions will be further reviewed.
The Senate bill was welcomed by Filipinos, including PWDs, who said it would ease the burden of renewing their IDs despite having long-term or permanent conditions.
“As a PWD, I need this to be a law,” one commented in a Reddit community on Tuesday, October 28.
“It never made sense anyway. Kaya nga DISABILITY. Meaning, wala nang lunas. It’s lifelong and would require lifelong maintenance. Tapos ang nakakapikon pa, kapag nag-renew ka, kailangan mo na naman ulit ng bagong medical certificate,” the Reddit user added.
“I have a rare disability called Usher Syndrome, which falls under audiovisual. So para magpa-renew ako, dalawang [doctor] pa pupuntahan ko (opthal saka ENT). Kaya hearing na lang pinalagay ko para ‘di hassle,” the Redditor continued.
“Ang ‘di ko lang kasi maintindihan, e bakit ba kailangang ipa-renew ang PWD ID e, lifelong nga ‘to na sakit dahil wala namang lunas,” the Reddit user said.
“Senator, sana wala ng renewal ang lifetime disability… biro niyo, hihingan ka pa ng medical abstract ulit… pano po ‘yong walang pera para magpatingin sa doctor… naghihigpit sa proseso ‘pag wala sa mood ang nag-a-approve… imbes na tulungan ang PWD, sasabihan ka pa ng masakit na salita,” an online user on Facebook said.
“Exactly. I have been asking the PWD office here in the municipality of Guagua. I even wrote to the Disability Office why is it they have to renew their card every year if your Disability is Permanent and Total… and get another Physical Exam,” another online user wrote.
“Tama, dapat wala ng renew [‘yung] mga ganyan kasi ang hirap kumuha ng PWD ID, ang gastos sa requirements tapos sobrang higpit pa, kahit renew na lang,” a different online user commented.
“Korek! Bakit pinapa-renew pa ‘yung may mga lifelong disability??? Ta’s ‘pag nag-renew, ang tagal bago makuha ang ID,” another Pinoy wrote.
PWD ID cards are currently required to be renewed every five years.
Renewal also entails securing a medical certificate, which means scheduling a doctor’s appointment, a process that can be costly and time-consuming for some.
A PWD ID card grants individuals access to various privileges and incentives, including discounts in establishments, transportation fares, medical and dental services in government facilities and educational assistance.
