SEN. LAPID PUSHES FOR LIFETIME VALIDITY OF PWD ID'S FOR PERSONS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY

Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid has filed a bill which seeks to provide lifetime validity of PWD Identification Cards to persons with permanent disabilities. Senate Bill 1795 aims to eliminate the unnecessary burden of renewing PWD ID's every three years. The current set-up requires the renewal of PWD ID's to re-evaluate the entitlement of the ID holder to the benefits pertaining to his/her status as person with disability. This is also to ensure that the information contained therein reflects the holder's current disability status.

However, Senator Lapid believes this re-evaluation does not apply in case of a PWD with a permanent disability such as pre-existing birth defects, permanent blindness or deafness, loss of limb or body parts. The Senator cites that requiring such PWDs to renew their ID every three years is superfluous, burdensome and a waste of government resources.

"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. 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," Lapid said.

Senator Lapid stressed that giving the PWDs with permanent disability a lifetime validity for their PWD 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.

Amending RA 7277 also known as "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons" will pave the way for the lifetime validity of PWD IDs. This privilege will be given provided that such permanent disability is certified by the municipal or city health officer where the ID holder resides. 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.

Senator Lapid also appealed to his colleagues for the urgent passage of the measure. "Tungkulin ng ating gobyerno na tulungan ang ating mga kababayan lalo na ang mga nasa sektor na may higit na pangangailangan gaya ng mga may kapansanan. 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," Lapid added.