By Jillian Marielle Tiraña

The Quezon City government, along with its Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) tackles Persons with Disability (PWD) identification card fraud through a stricter registration system.

Photo Courtesy to Quezon City Government 

Applications are now made by submitting necessary proof of disability through the city’s automated digital system, QC E-Services, instead of face-to-face registrations.

According to a statement by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on July 13, the new policy is administered to prevent applicant patronage or fixers during physical transactions. 

“The improper use of PWD IDs to obtain discounts, by individuals who are not legitimate PWDs is completely unacceptable,” she states, underscoring the added efficiency and security of the new setup.

Belmonte also reported that the city government is conducting meticulous verification for all applicants, noting cases of falsified medical certificates and submissions by unqualified individuals.

Before the pandemic, the PWD ID holders in the city amounted to 78,000. However, after the implementation of the new system, the figure has decreased to over 52,000, with a significant portion of cases involving counterfeit medical certificates and people pretending to be qualified as PWDs. 

Additionally, more efforts to promote the celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Awareness Week, including the distribution of wheelchairs, hearing aids, and a stipend of P1,500 to 1,622 PWDs, are currently being presided over by the Quezon City government and its PDAO as social welfare assistance.