When N was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder last year, his doctor suggested that we apply for a PWD ID. I asked whether it’s really necessary and he said “Yes, because he will be eligible for discounts and perks. You can use it for doctor visits and medicines. Malaki matitipid niyo in the long run.”

What is a PWD ID?

“As provided in the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons, the state is duty-bound to recognize the rights, protect, and support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) through various social systems. PWDs are granted benefits and privileges such as 20% discounts at restaurants and hospitals, to transportation benefits.” — www.gov.ph

“Identification Cards shall be issued to any bonafide PWD with permanent disabilities due to any one or more of the following conditions: psychosocial, chronic illness, learning, mental, visual, orthopedic, speech and hearing conditions. This includes persons suffering from disabling diseases resulting to the person’s limitations to do day to day activities as normally as possible such as but not limited to those undergoing dialysis, heart disorders, severe cancer cases and such other similar cases resulting to temporary or permanent disability.” — www.ncda.gov.ph

According to RA NO. 10754, persons with disability shall be entitled to at least twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT) — so all in all that’s 32% discount — on the following sale of goods and services. I’m just not sure if the VAT exemption is already being implemented.

• hotels and similar lodging establishments; restaurants and recreation centers
• theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement
• purchase of medicines in all drugstores
• medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees and professional fees of attending doctors in all government facilities and all private hospitals
• domestic air and sea travel and land transportation travel (buses, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, shuttle services, LRT, MRT, and PNR)
• funeral and burial services

My Toddler has Autism Spectrum Disorder

How to Apply for a PWD ID in Quezon City

When my I told my husband that I’ll be applying for a PWD ID, he was skeptical at first because he didn’t want our son to be labeled as handicapped or disabled. Sabi pa niya, “Eh hindi naman siya disabled!” Yes he’s not physically disabled, in fact he looks just like any other normal kid, but he has a neurodevelopmental disorder so he’s under the Learning Disability category.

I later explained to him that we need the PWD ID to somehow lighten the financial burden in the coming months.

Here are the requirements:

• Medical Certificate – I brought N’s NEURODEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION SUMMARY report, signed by his doctor. This (or any other certificate from your doctor) serves as your evidence that your child has been evaluated by a qualified practitioner of medicine and is eligible to get the said privileges.
• Barangay Certificate – This is just to certify the residence and good moral character of the PWD of a given town or barangay. To get his certificate, I needed to submit one copy of N’s Medical Abstract/Certificate, my ID or cedula (since he’s a minor), and pay for a minimal fee. I also brought with me a few 1×1 and 2×2 ID photos.
• 2X2 ID picture – I had N’s photo taken a few days before we applied for a PWD ID. You will need to submit 2 photos, but bring extras just in case.
• Thumbmark – For signature purposes

I didn’t know what building to go into so I asked around and I was told to go to the Social Services Development Department. Luckily we parked not too far from the building.

A security guard assisted me as we entered the building. Once inside, we turned right and a lady gave me a PWD ID form to fill out. She also asked a few questions regarding N’s condition then she gave me N’s PWD ID with an accompanying booklet. The processing only took 10 minutes. 🙂

The PWD ID is valid for 3 years.

If you’re going to apply for a PWD ID today, the processing has been transferred to the Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).

The PWD Purchase Slip Booklet will serve as a purchase diary. We’ve been using N’s booklet for a year now, particularly in medications and grocery purchases. N gets a fixed 20% discount whenever we buy his meds, as long as we show the prescription, his PWD ID, and the Purchase Slip booklet. Most drugstores do not honor discounts when one of the 3 requirements is missing, so make sure you have them all when purchasing.

DISCOUNT on Basic and Prime Commodities

To get a discount for your groceries, you need the PWD ID and the booklet. At SM North EDSA, it’s not necessary to have your goods checked out at a Senior Citizen / PWD lane, unlike is some grocery stores. So before you pay, make sure that you follow their guidelines for the PWD discount.

Usually after grocery shopping (at SM North), I go to the Senior Citizen/PWD lane show them the receipt, PWD ID, and booklet. I don’t know how they compute for the discount, but I was told (or I have read) that it’s only 5%. If you check your receipts, there is an SC/PWD price and that’s where (I think) the discount will be based on.

In our personal experience, for every PhP 2,500 worth of groceries, we get PhP 65.00. And it has been like that for a year, it’s fixed, even when we exceed 4k or 6k worth of groceries. There’s also a weekly limit of PhP 1,500, but we have never been declined even when we shop 2x or 3x a week.

DISCOUNTS from Restaurants and Leisure Establishments

We also get discounts from restaurants and leisure establishments, as long as N is with us. They don’t normally ask for the booklet, only the ID, but I suggest that you always bring the booklet with you in case the establishment does not comply with the PWD regulations. Simply show them the info on your booklet, and hopefully they’ll grant you the 20% discount.

They normally take 20% off the PWD’s food only and give separate receipts. So for example you ordered a bucket meal and a kiddie meal for the PWD, yung kiddie meal lang yung bibigyan ng discount. Let’s say a kiddie meal costs PhP 100, you’ll only pay for PhP 80. 🙂 Minsan, pero bihirang-bihira, you’ll get 20% off your entire food order. Not bad, diba?

DISCOUNT on Medicines and Medical Bills

N has a sleep disorder and his latest EEG showed abnormal brain activity so he’s under meds right now. Two leading drugstores, South Star Drug and Mercury Drug, both honor the PWD ID and I haven’t had any problems with purchasing meds from them, as long as I have the ID, the booklet, and the prescription. However, South drugstores don’t give discounts for his vitamins (Melatonin, particularly), even when it’s needed as treatment for his condition. Discounts are only exclusive to medicines.

I think the PWD ID card has been a great help to us when it comes to paying medical bills. Mas magaan na sa bulsa ang trips to the emergency room and doctor appointments. All I have to do is show his ID at the cashier while paying then the 20% will be automatically discounted. 🙂

I hope my post has helped you answer the most common questions about getting and using a PWD ID here in the Philippines. If you have questions, just comment below. 🙂

Published: 2016-12-09 08:20:52