A few years ago I went on a rant about how some cities here in Luzon won't let an expat "avail" of certain services and how they continue to deny requests for such things as Senior ID, PWD ID, PAG-IBIG account or even a TIN. These denials of services seem to vary by city or area and some expats have been able to get what they ask for without delay. However, this has not been the case with my many requests.
Update: I have now found the legal ways to obtain all of the above except the Senior ID here in Tagaytay. My latest victory was to get the city of Tagaytay to accept my status as a person with disabilities (8" of stainless steel and 8 screws in my leg), after 2 years of hearing "you can't avail since you are American".
Key steps:
1. Understand your rights under RA 9442 by registering online with the Philippine's Department of Health. You will receive a special registration number that is embedded (center bottom of page) in your confirmation of registration.
2. Print this document and head to your City Hall to request them to do their job. Once you do this, the locals can't deny you the application, status and resulting ID.
3. I even printed the complaint form from the DOH site so they could see that the results of a denial would result in a DOH complaint being filled out on the spot.
The office in Tagaytay had never seen the online registration and were left speechless with a look of disbelief. I will return on Monday to get my ID/booklet for up to 20% off on many services and eateries.
Here is the URL to get started: http://pwd.doh.gov.ph/republicact9442list.php
So far -
IDs/CARDs without any problems:
Drivers license
IDs/CARDs with initial denial problems:
TIN = Done/account confirmed/card in wallet
PAG-IBIG = Done/account confirmed/card in wallet
PHILHealth = Done/account confirmed/MDR/card in wallet (lifetime member zero fees to pay)
PWD ID = Done/account confirmed/card to be issued next week
Pending further actions:
Senior ID = Not Done/accepted by Tagaytay City Attorney who claims "US Citizen can't avail"