Lapid bill pushes for lifetime ID validity for PWDs with permanent disabilities

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill seeking to remove the “superfluous and burdensome” requirement for persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have permanent disabilities to renew their identification cards every three years.

Lapid called for the urgent passage of Senate Bill No. 1795, which aims to amend Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons to provide a lifetime validity of PWD IDs to those with a permanent disability.

At present, PWDs are required to have their IDs renewed for the reevaluation of their entitlement to the benefits pertaining to their status as a person with a disability.

This is also to ensure that the information contained therein reflects the holder’s current disability status.

But Lapid said this reevaluation should no longer apply to PWDs with a permanent disability such as pre-existing birth defects, permanent blindness or deafness, loss of limb or body parts.

Giving PWDs with permanent disability a lifetime validity for their ID will spare them the inconvenience of going back to the issuing offices every three years, filling up the renewal forms, falling in line, and paying fees and charges, when no changes have occurred as to their disability status, according to the senator.

Under the bill, the permanent disability must first be certified by the municipal or city health officer where the PWD resides before the lifetime validity of their IDs can be availed.

The issuing offices should also implement measures to ensure that the lifetime validity of the identification cards is not abused, especially when the ID holder dies, according to the measure.

“Marapat lamang na bigyan ng mas malawak na pang-unawa at konsiderasyon ang mga kababayan nating may kapansanan. Kaya dapat lang na tulungan natin silang mapagaan ang ilang gawain gaya na lamang ng pagkakaroon ng PWD ID para masigurong meron silang sapat na benepisyo at pribilehiyo,” he said in a statement.

(The government should extend more consideration to PWDs. We need to help ease their burden by providing the lifetime validity of their IDs to ensure they receive enough benefits and privileges.)

“Hindi na sila dapat pahirapan pang i-renew ang kanilang PWD ID lalo na kung ang kapansanan nila ay panghabang-buhay na. Makakabigat lamang sa kanila ang pagsasailalim sa paulit-ulit na proseso ng pagkuha ng ID at pag-aaksaya lang din ito ng kanilang oras at salaping pambayad sa renewal fee,” he added.

(They should not be burdened with having to renew their IDs, especially if they have a permanent disability. The repeated process of having to renew their IDs and pay for the renewal fee would not only waste their time but also their money.)

The senator then appealed to his colleagues to immediately start discussions on the bill, noting that it is the government’s duty to ensure that the needs of PWDs are met.

“Maliit na bagay kung tutuusin na siguruhing hindi na mahihirapan pang mag-renew ng PWD ID ang mga kapatid nating panghabang-buhay na ang kundisyon. Kaya hiling ko na agad itong matalakay sa Senado at maipasa bilang batas,” he said.

(It’s not really a big deal to ensure that Filipinos with permanent disabilities will no longer have a hard time with the requirement of having to renew their IDs. I hope this can be immediately tackled in the Senate and approved.)

/MUF