by: Gelaine Gutierrez
QUEZON CITY (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urges citizens to report individuals who issue, sell, and use fake persons with disabilities (PWD) ID cards to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in your province, city, or municipality.
On February 5, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao expressed concern over the use of fake PWD IDs, emphasizing their damaging impact on small businesses and restaurants, “The Department is disturbed by the use of fake persons with disabilities IDs that harm honest businesses in the country, especially those from the food industry. This concern gravely undermines the progress that we have made towards creating an inclusive society for all vulnerable sectors.”
Under Republic Act 10754, also known as the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities, PWDs are granted discounts and privileges to help them access opportunities that promote a fuller and more productive life.
However, unscrupulous persons abusing PWD IDs deprive legitimate beneficiaries of the help and services they are entitled to. “By misusing the IDs to take advantage of the discounts and privileges intended for them, unscrupulous individuals are taking away the services and support that they need leading to more harm to the members of the vulnerable sector,” emphasized Dumlao.
The DSWD announced that a unified identity card system for PWDs will be piloted this year. This new system will have a standardized design and a digital version to prevent individuals from abusing benefits by using fake PWD IDs.
Reports can be sent to the NCDA via email at council@ncda.gov.ph or through their official social media pages. Concerned citizens may also report such incidents to their local Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), local government units (LGUs), or law enforcement agencies. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
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