After reports of unqualified individuals obtaining persons with disability (PWD) IDs made rounds on social media, the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Thursday urged local government units to implement stricter guidelines in issuing these cards.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reminded people that PWD IDs should only be issued to people who are hindered by long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment. Business establishments were also encouraged to report people using fake PWD IDs to the police.

“The law has good intentions but there are some people abusing the privileges which should be given to real 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.

The DILG said it supports the call of Congress for a crackdown on the proliferation of fake PWD IDs even as it urged LGUs to be stricter in the issuance of identification cards to PWDs & ensure that such IDs are issued to legitimate PWDs only https://t.co/ViysVljtzv #WeHealAsOne pic.twitter.com/GZ0K4PUEHV

— DILG Philippines (@DILGPhilippines) June 25, 2020

Under Republic Act No. 10754, PWD IDs are issued for people who are diagnosed with visual, hearing and speech impairments, or physical/orthopedic, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. PWDs are also given discounts on basic necessities and free use of express lanes in commercial and government transactions.

Header photo by Inquirer.net

Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.

Here’s how you can properly support PWDs

New law mandates gov’t to shoulder PhilHealth coverage of PWDs