Online sale of fake PWD IDs flagged

Citing Department of Justice data, Tulfo said about eight million PWD IDs are in circulation nationwide, but only two million are legitimate and registered with the National Council on Disability Affairs.

STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines —  Sen. Raffy Tulfo has expressed alarm over the widespread circulation of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities (PWDs) sold online.

Citing Department of Justice data, Tulfo said about eight million PWD IDs are in circulation nationwide, but only two million are legitimate and registered with the National Council on Disability Affairs.

“Those suffering most are people with legitimate disabilities who should benefit from the 20 percent discount and small businesses who shoulder additional expenses,” Tulfo said during yesterday’s deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Almost P166 billion in losses have been reported, particularly in the restaurant industry, amid the proliferation of fake PWD IDs.

Tulfo said it contributed to growing public skepticism toward people presenting PWD IDs to claim discounts.

Reports of widespread online selling of fake IDs on Facebook Marketplace and Carousell were verified by Tulfo.

His Senate team interviewed David Sison, president of RESTOPH, an association of restaurant owners in the Philippines.

Sison recounted an instance wherein every member of a family, including the mother, father, children and household helper, reportedly possessed a PWD ID.

Verifying the authenticity of PWD IDs is difficult, Tulfo pointed out.

Although the Department of Health maintains a website for verification, he said its information is outdated.

More than 2,500 local government units issued PWD IDs nationwide, yet their designs, formats and databases are not standardized, making verification more challenging, he noted.

Requirements for issuing PWD IDs must be reviewed, Tulfo stressed.

Tulfo called for clearer criteria on which disabilities qualify people for the ID to prevent abuse of the system and ensure that benefits reach those who need them.