NGO wants stricter penalty

CEBU, Philippines — The growing use of counterfeited Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) identification cards to unlawfully obtain discounts in restaurants and establishments has prompted a strong call for action among groups and business owners, for stricter regulations and government action.

A non-government organization for PWDs called the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS), expressed deep concern over the issue, citing its negative impact on legit PWDs.

According to PADS president John Paul Maunes, fake IDs not only undermine the welfare of the disabled but also put an additional burden on businesses and government resources.

“It is unethical, unlawful and para nako kung mahimong criminal it should be criminalized,” said Maunes.

Maunes said that the abuse of PWD discounts has resulted in businesses becoming skeptical of PWD IDs, leading to cases where legitimate cardholders are denied benefits.

“It anger a lot of PWDs kay daghan naman pud mga PWDs nga legit jud nga naay ID nga gi-deny na hinoon sila kay nag duha duha na nangita na og list ang mga business owners,” he added.

The NGO called for stricter penalties against those who issue and use fake PWD IDs, believing that such fraud should be criminalized to prevent further exploitation of the system.

Maunes urged local government units (LGUs) to establish Persons with Disabilities Affairs Offices (PDAO) in municipalities and cities to ensure proper management of PWD programs.

He said that these offices should be run by PWDs themselves to better address their programs and concerns as well as to protect their rights.

Meanwhile, Mark Anthony Ynoc, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), echoed Maunes’ sentiments.

He emphasized that fake PWD IDs are a form of fraud and called for a stricter verification process to prevent abuse.

“The PWD ID is supposed to be proof of disability, ensuring that the rightful individuals receive benefits,” Ynoc said.

“Fake IDs distort this purpose and create unfair advantages for those who do not deserve them,” he added.

The MCCI president said the financial struggles of businesses and pointed out that while businesses strive to comply with the law, they also need to remain competitive to survive.

“I understand that people are desperate to cut down costs, but this method heavily affects business profit margins,” Ynoc explained.

With the proliferation of this scheme, it makes businesses less profitable, limiting their ability to provide incentives for employees, he said

Both PADS and MCCI are urging the government to enforce stricter verification processes and penalties for fraudsters.

No case in Mandaue

The Mandaue City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) reported that despite the widespread printing of fake person with disability (PWD) identification cards, the City has yet to record a single case of this type of scheme.

PDAO Head and Regional Federation President of PWDs Joseph Jumantoc told reporters yesterday that this is because they have ensured Mandaue’s ID system is integrated into their online portal.

Jumantoc said this system is linked to the respective PWD IDs with QR codes, making these difficult to duplicate.

“Diri sa Mandaue as far as Persons with Disability Affairs Office is concerned, naa na tay mga gipangbuhat para dili ma abuse, dili mapahimuslan ang fake IDs,” said Jumantoc.

He said that one of these initiatives is the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cards with a QR code. The QR-coded system in the city for PWD cards was implemented in August 2024.

The PDAO head added that once PWDs in Mandaue are registered with their office, they are also registered online. This way, he said, an establishment would only need to encode a PWD ID number for verification as it is already registered online.

Jumantoc said in regional meetings he attended, it was found out that some people in other areas have abused the benefits accorded to PWDs.

What’s worse, he said, some individuals chose to sell IDs even to those who are not PWDs, thereby, giving these people the chance to avail themselves of the PWDs' benefits even if they are not qualified.

He said that the circulation of fake IDs is driven by the significant PWD benefits such as the 20 percent discount and the exemption from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT).

He said that it is the real PWDs who suffer because of those who take advantage of the system.

“So far dinhi sa Mandaue, wala pa ta kasugat ana nga mga issues,” said Jumantoc.

Jumantoc said that part of the requirements in getting a PWD ID card is a certificate of disability issued by the Mandaue City Health Office.

He added that because there is a financial assistance available in the city, the PDAO has recommended that a PWD should obtain the required certificate from the City Health Office.

Jumantoc said that there are also plans to expand the system to include benefits through scanning the ID.

He added that City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chairman of the Committee on Social Services, along with PDAO, will help each other in working for the inclusion of the available benefits of the ID into the system. — JG (FREEMAN)