Lifetime Validity of Identification Cards Issued to Persons with Permanent Disability

senate Office of the Secretar TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 MAY 19 P3:47 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 2134 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED TO PERSONS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277 OR THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY," AS AMENDED EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 7277 or the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability", as amended, was established to broaden and reinforce the benefits and privileges granted to persons with disabilities (PWDs). This includes the issuance of the Persons with Disability Identification Card to guarantee their full access to these privileges. Currently, PWDs with permanent conditions encounter difficulties in renewing their IDs because they are required to undergo repeated medical evaluations every five years, which are often costly and physically burdensome. PWDs and their families continue to endure this inconvenience despite the fact that the conditions are permanent and irreversible. Living with disability is already a lifelong challenge, making it essential for the government to extend assistance and take measures to alleviate the difficulties that PWDs continue to face. Thus, this bill seeks to provide for the lifetime validity of the identification cards issued to persons with permanent disability. This simple measure can create a significant positive impact by relieving permanently disabled persons from the burden of repeatedly complying with renewal requirements. In doing so, it would enable them to fully enjoy the privileges afforded to them, without being subjected to additional and unnecessary hardship.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Senate Diure of the 8 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session MAY 19 P3:47 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. - 2134 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED TO PERSONS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277 OR THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY," AS AMENDED Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 32 of the Republic Act No. 7277 or the "Magna Carta for

2 Persons with Disability," as amended, 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 the persons with disability who are Filipino citizens upon submission of the any of the following as proof of his/her entitlement thereto: (1) Any identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor or the barangay captain of the place where the persons with disability resides; (II) The passport of the persons with disability concerned; or (III) Transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the [National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NDWDP)] NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS. 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 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, presidential decrees, rules, regulations,

and other issuances, 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 a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,