Poor vision does not automatically qualify someone for PWD ID —official

Poor eyesight does not automatically guarantee someone that he or she can avail of the PWD card, contrary to information circulating on the Internet, the head of the government council for persons with disabilities (PWDs) clarified Wednesday.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Carmen Zubiaga, officer in charge of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), also expressed alarm over reports that some PWD cardholders are not qualified to have such privilege.

Zubiaga said they have received information that while some PWDs could not avail of the special ID, some unqualified individuals were able to avail of it through "connections."

"Yung iba hindi nakakakuha, yung totoong may kapansanan. At yung mga walang kapansanan na may connection lang, ay nakakuha sila," she said.

According to Zubiaga, only persons who face long-term physical, mental, intellectual and sensory impairment are qualified for a PWD ID.

"Yung mga function limitations na yan ay nakakahadlang sa kanilang pakikisalamuha at sa kanilang interaction sa ating kapaligiran,” she said.

Zubiaga clarified that simple poor vision does not qualify a person for a PWD ID unless it cannot be corrected.

"Kahit nga 1,000 ang grado ng salamin mo , basta yan ay nako-correct  pa, nakakabasa ka pa, nakikita mo pa yung pinapabasa sa 'yo ng optometrist, hindi ka pa [qualified for PWD ID],” Zubiaga said.

“Pero kapag kahit nagsalamin ka ay ang makikita mo lang yung letter E na malaki—yun iisyuhan ka na ng ID,” Zubiaga added.

Less value added tax in medicines and 20 percent discount in restaurant bills were among the benefits of holding a PWD ID, according to Zubiaga.

“Ang PWD ID ay isang pribilehiyo na pwede nating maitulong sa kanila kasi wala tayong disability pension,” she said.

PWD IDs are valid up to three years and can be cancelled, Zubiaga pointed out. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News