Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday urged local government units to impose stricter rules on issuing identification cards (ID) for persons with disabilities (PWD) after reports of dishonest individuals availing benefits and privileges for PWDs.
“Maganda ang intensyon ng batas pero mayroong mga taong gustong abusuhin ang pribilehiyong ibinibigay sa mga tunay na PWDs. LGUs should, therefore, be wary of such individuals who want to secure a PWD ID even if they are not entitled to PWD privileges,” Año said in a press statement.
(The intentions of the law are good, but some people want to abuse the privilege given to true PWDs.)
The DILG chief reminded that PWD IDs should only be issued to people who have a long-term mental, intellectual, physical, or sensory impairment, “which may hinder their full, effective, and equal participation in society pursuant to the United Nations Convention.”
The Republic Act No. 10754 enables PWDs to avail 20% discounts, an exemption to value-added tax (VAT), a 5% discount on necessities, and prime commodities. They are also given express lanes in commercial and government transactions.
Also read: How To Get A PWD ID In The Philippines – Benefits & Application Process
DILG would also support the Congress if lawmakers would review the law and its implementing provisions, Año further said.
“Hindi dapat magpatuloy ang ganitong pamemeke at pang-aabuso sa paggamit ng PWD IDs dahil baka mabangkarote pa ang mga business establishment lalo na ngayong panahon ng COVID-19,” he said.
(Such fraud and abuse should not continue with the use of PWD IDs as business establishments may be bankrupt, especially during this COVID-19 period.)
Two solons earlier called for the review of the PWD law implementation and its IRR due to reports of fake PWDs enjoying discounts in restaurants and other privileges even without physical impairments.
According to Ang Probinsyano party-list Representative Ronnie Ong, the PWD law has “very little safeguard” against individuals who pretend to be PWDs. ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Yap meanwhile suggested putting up a centralized system to store PWD information for easier data verification.
Año, meanwhile, urged business establishments to report incidents on the use of fake PWD IDs to the authorities and issuing LGU for proper action.
“Kung walang magre-report, hindi natin mapipigilan ang ganitong panggugulang. We, therefore, urge business establishments to come forward if they encounter PWD impersonators with IDs so that authorities can act accordingly,” he said.