NCDA to drop PWD ID med cert requirement for apparent disabilities

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Wednesday said it is set to issue a revised administrative order that will remove the requirement for medical certificates in applying for persons with disability (PWD) identification cards in cases of apparent disabilities.

Interviewed on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova said the forthcoming policy update will amend existing guidelines on PWD ID issuance.

"In the coming days po, ilalathala na din po ng NCDA 'yung ating bagong administrative order amending yung administrative order in the issuance of ID na may mas malinaw po ito na panuntunan at may mga streamlined na requirements," Relova said.

(In the coming days, the NCDA will also publish our new administrative order amending the administrative order in the issuance of ID with clearer guidelines and streamlined requirements.)

"So, dito po makikita po nila na kapag apparent ka, hindi mo na kinakailangang magbigay pa ng panibagong medical certificate kasi kita naman po 'yung disability," she added.

(So, here they will see that when you are apparent, you do not need to provide a new medical certificate because your disability is obvious.)

According to Reloca, the policy change is aimed at simplifying the application process while ensuring dignity, accessibility, and convenience for legitimate PWDs.

The agency is also coordinating with local government units to ensure that the implementation of the unified PWD ID system remains efficient and inclusive nationwide.

Relova said the NCDA targets full nationwide implementation of a unified PWD ID system within the year. To date, 48% of local government units have been trained so far for the new system. — VDV, GMA News