Lifetime Validity of Identification Cards to Persons with Permanent Disability

Senate Offite of the sorretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 24 P12:46 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1405 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY," AS AMENDED, TO PROVIDE FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED TO PERSONS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 7277, as amended or the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability," provides for equal opportunities, access to essential services, and privileges for persons with disability, including the issuance of a Persons with Disability Identification Card (PWD ID) to facilitate the enjoyment of such benefits. Presently, PWD IDs require periodic renewal even for those with permanent disabilities, creating an undue burden. A burden that is not only inconvenient but unnecessary. This bill seeks to ease the burden on persons with disability by granting lifetime validity to PWD IDs issued to individuals with certified permanent disabilities. This reaffirms the government's commitment to inclusivity, social justice, and the full participation of persons with disabilities in the society. This is a small but meaningful step toward respecting PWDs' rights, easing their burdens, and streamlining public service.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO

State TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the saccretarp REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 24 P12:46 RECEIVED BY. SENATE 1405 Senate Bill No._ Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY,"' AS AMENDED, TO PROVIDE FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED TO PERSONS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended,

otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability" is hereby further amended to read as follows: "Sec. 32. Persons with disability shall be entitled to the following: XXX The abovementioned privileges are available only to persons with disability who are Filipino citizens upon submission of any of the following as proof of his/her entitlement thereto: (I) An identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor or the barangay captain of the place where the persons with disability resides; OR

(Il) The passport of the persons with disability concerned; [or] |(HI) Transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the National Couneil for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)] PROVIDED, THAT IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED TO PERSONS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY SHALL BE FREE OF CHARGE AND SHALL BE VALID DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE CARDHOLDER. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT SUCH PERMANENT DISABILITY IS CERTIFIED BY THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY HEALTH OFFICE AND VERIFIED BY THE LOCAL SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (LSWDO). PROVIDED, FURTHERMORE, THAT IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE, THE CARDHOLDER MAY RENEW HIS/HER IDENTIFICATION CARD. xXX

SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety

(90) days from approval of this Act, the NCDA, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other relevant government agencies, shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary in the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this

Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances,

2 rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 7 newspapers of general circulation. Approved,