Published: January 11, 2021 | Updated: January 14, 2021 | Posted by: Venus Zoleta | Government Services
Been putting off your PWD ID application? Get one as soon as you can. Whether your medical condition is visible or not, you’ll benefit a lot from having a PWD ID. It’s your proof of your entitlement as a PWD, so you can get discounts that can greatly help in easing your medical expenses and other types of purchases.
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The PWD ID is the standard identification card for persons with disability (PWDs) in the Philippines. It can be used to avail of PWD discounts and other benefits as mandated by the law.
This ID card is valid for three years and free of charge when issued for the first time. There’s a minimal fee for PWD ID renewal due to expiration, damage, or loss of card.
Any Filipino with a permanent disability can apply for a PWD ID. Republic Act 10754[1] defines persons with disability as those with “long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments” that interfere with their interactions in society.
The Department of Health (DOH) considers the following types of disabilities as eligible for a PWD ID:
PWDs in the Philippines enjoy certain discounts and privileges under RA 10754. To avail of these benefits, the PWD ID must be presented. In the absence of this particular ID, those with an apparent disability may present their passport to get a PWD discount.
PWDs are entitled to a 20% discount and are exempted from paying VAT when buying certain products and services nationwide, which include the following categories:
Note that PWDs can’t get double discounts. If a particular service is on a promotional discount, PWDs can avail of either the 20% PWD discount or the establishment’s offered discount, whichever is higher.
Likewise, if you’re both a PWD and senior citizen, you can use either your senior citizen ID or PWD ID to avail of the 20% discount.
The law also grants a 5% PWD discount in the Philippines on top of the mandatory 20% discount and VAT exemption. The special discount applies to purchase of products such as rice, meat, fresh fruits, drinking water, sugar, construction materials, and other commodities as determined by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry.
To qualify for the 5% discount, the total purchase should not be more than PHP 1,300 per week. Any unused amount cannot be carried over to the next week.
A PWD who’s also a senior citizen may avail of the discount from only one category.
Membership with the Social Security System (SSS)/Government Service Insurance System, (GSIS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund is compulsory for PWD workers in the Philippines. This means all working PWDs are entitled to the same benefits from these government agencies as other members.
Scholarships, educational grants, subsidies, allowances, and other forms of financial support are available to PWDs in the Philippines. These privileges apply to elementary, high school, college, post-graduate, vocational, or technical education in public and private schools.
PWDs are a priority in all commercial and government transactions in the Philippines. The law requires establishments to create express lanes for PWDs.
Aside from the PWD benefits implemented on a national level, some cities provide their PWD residents with additional privileges, such as the following:
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The exact procedure varies per city or municipality, but here are the general guidelines on how to get PWD ID in the Philippines.
You have to attach your ID pictures and medical certificate/abstract to the accomplished application form.
Bring all the PWD ID requirements and submit them to any of the following offices, whichever is applicable:
Your information and documents will be checked and verified. Once your medical condition or disability is confirmed, you’ll be assigned a PWD ID number.
The next step is encoding your personal information. If you have confidential data regarding your medical condition, an officer will conduct a private interview with you.
Lastly, claim your PWD ID card along with purchase booklets that you’ll use each time you avail of a PWD benefit.
Back to main article: Valid IDs in the Philippines You Need to Have
Now that you know how to apply for the PWD ID in the Philippines, note that not all PWD ID applications get approved. The government is strict when it comes to evaluating applicants, as some people tend to abuse the system by faking their disability or using a fake ID to enjoy PWD discounts and privileges. This is why disability has to be confirmed first before an applicant is issued a PWD ID.
If your PWD ID application is declined, it may be caused by issues regarding the documents you submitted. The registration officer will let you know about the deficiency in your PWD ID application. You can apply again when you submit the complete PWD ID requirements.
Source: [1] Republic Act 10754
Venus is an experienced personal finance writer with a background in digital marketing, public relations, and journalism. She’s into stock, VUL, and mutual fund investing. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.