DSWD to sign on as PWD ID issuer to help combat fakes
PWDs try out the PWD-friendly electric buses at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The units, designed with ramps and spacious interiors for wheelchair users, will also serve as a source of income for members of the Sustainable Livelihood Program Association who will serve as drivers and conductors under the agency’s inclusive transport and livelihood initiatives. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development will sign, in two weeks’ time, the amended Implementing Rules and Regulations of the PWD Discounts Law to include it as an issuing entity of Person with Disability IDs.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the move is meant to address the problem of fake PWD identification cards.
Gatchalian, speaking at a budget briefing before the Senate Subcommittee on Finance on Wednesday, acknowledged that there is a problem with the proliferation of fake PWD IDs.
“These are the current and very alarming facts — out of 8 million IDs issued, 6 million are fake PWDs… Only 2 million IDs are legitimate and registered with the [National Council on Disability Affairs],” Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who raised the issue, said.
The senator added the fake IDs have cost the government P88 billion in lost tax revenue and P166 billion in losses to business establishments.
Due to devolution, local government units are tasked with issuing the PWD IDs, with the DSWD having no role in it.
Gatchalian said he hopes to address that through the signing of the amended IRR.
He said the three points for fraud on the IDs are loose issuance by doctors, loose vetting at local PWD Affairs Offices, and the outright purchase of counterfeit ones.
He said the DSWD has talked to the DOH, which has issued an administrative order specifying which doctors can issue PWD IDs.
It has also talked to the Department of the Interior and Local Government to tighten controls at the LGU level.
Gatchalian said the issue of fake IDs can be solved through the unified PWD ID system that they are also pushing for.
He said the new digital ID would have a QR code that establishments can scan for verification.
“No new requirement, cellphone lang nila puwede na (a cellphone is all you need).”
He said the DSWD is also working with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to amend the tax law to encourage establishments to use the digital IDs.