Beware of fake PWD stickers in circulation

CEBU, Philippines - City Traffic Operations Management operations chief Joy Tumulak confirmed that a Person with Disability has been selling fake PWD stickers to Public Utility Vehicles' drivers in Carlock Street, Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City.

 Tumalak said that he personally went to Carlock St. last week to verify the reports from the Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services and PWD affairs office.

 "Confirmed gyud nga illegal ang pagbaligya og stickers," Tumulak said, adding that CITOM is now waiting for the directive from DSWS as the concerned department.

 The DSWS said they have yet to look into this report.

 What was allegedly being sold in Carlock were red stickers bearing the logos of the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Cebu City Hall, PWD and DSWS.

 However, Cebu City Federation of Persons With Disabilities President Danny Omayan clarified that Republic Act 10070 and Batas Pambansa 344 provides the standard color of the PWD stickers bearing logos of  LTO, LTFRB, Cebu City Hall is blue.

 Omayan said he knew about the PWD selling bogus stickers since last year and even warned the person he might face charges for using their logos in illegal transactions.

"Gi-warningan na ni namo kay gihimo lagi nga livelihood. Maluoy man pud ta kay PWD man, murag kapit sa patalim ra gyod iyaha," Omayan added.

The PWD sticker is sold for P100 each at the City Treasurer's Office. However, the release of the stickers is being done at the ground floor of the legislative building by the assigned personnel from the affairs office of the PWDs. The driver has to present the official receipt from CTO to be able to get the PWD sticker.

It is stipulated in Batas Pambansa 344 that all public vehicles, buildings, airports, ship, aircraft, among others are required to secure a PWD sticker.

 For Public Utility Vehicles, PWD stickers should be placed at the windshield.

Over the weekend, Tumulak said they have arrested over 400 drivers of utility vehicles for having no PWD stickers on the vehicle, including 197 drivers of PUJs, 164 taxi drivers and two bus drivers.

 CITOM will issue a Temporary Operator's Permit for the erring drivers. As stipulated in the law, the violating drivers must pay P500 or have their license confiscated. If they cannot redeem their licenses within three days, they are required to attend a seminar.

 Tumulak said they are strictly implementing the law to protect the lives of the PWDs.

 "We are here also to protect our PWD, kay sagad nakadawat mi'g complaints nga ang ubang drivers di magpasakay og PWD…huptan nga dili mabiktima sila," Tumulak said.—   (FREEMAN)