Unified PWD ID System Philippines Launches with Digital and RFID Features
A new unified identification system for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is now live in the Philippines. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the pilot rollout to simplify access to benefits and stop the use of fake IDs.
The system integrates digital, physical, and security features in one ID. The unified PWD ID includes a digital version accessible via mobile app or web portal, a QR code for instant verification, and an RFID-enabled physical card to prevent tampering.
DSWD said the program is live in 35 pilot areas across the country. Around 200,000 PWDs are expected to join the first phase, with full rollout expected to benefit about 2 million individuals nationwide.
Local government units, through their Persons with Disability Affairs Offices, will handle applications and verify eligibility. The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will manage centralized printing and oversee the overall system.
The pilot rollout covers areas in Cavite, Nueva Vizcaya, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Pangasinan, Aklan, Bohol, South Cotabato, Bukidnon, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
DSWD said the new system will help ensure PWDs receive their entitled benefits faster. Business establishments can scan the QR code to confirm ID authenticity, minimizing delays and disputes.
The unified system also strengthens transparency, helping stop the misuse of PWD privileges. By going digital, the government aims to make access more efficient and inclusive while safeguarding legitimate cardholders from discrimination or questioning.
The DSWD expects to complete the nationwide rollout once the pilot testing phase is completed successfully.
