Belmonte warns vs ‘faking’ PWD IDs
QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has warned individuals “falsifying” documents to acquire a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) identification card (ID) that they will face criminal cases once caught.
Belmonte issued the warning after the QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), with the help of the City Legal Department and Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested last week an alleged “fixer”.
Records showed that the alleged fixer had submitted falsified medical certificates in the QCE-Services Portal for several individuals applying for PWD ID under the pretense of having Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia.
As standard procedure, the PDAO personnel contacted the doctor, who was said to have conducted a medical assessment for the fictitious patients. The doctor, however, certified through his secretary that the names that appeared on the said certificates do not exist in their database.
“The city government has been strict in assessing and processing all PWD ID applications to prevent this kind of false representations. Hindi natin papayagan ang ganitong klaseng gawain sa ating lungsod na makakaapekto sa kapakanan at karapatan ng ating mga mamamayan lalo na ‘yung mga nabibilang sa vulnerable sectors tulad ng PWDs,” Belmonte said.
As the city government migrated its services online, PDAO has been able to spot persons who attempt to submit fictitious documents just to obtain a PWD ID which can be used to get various discounts and benefits.
Meanwhile, charges of violations of City Ordinance 1656-2006 and Article 172 Paragraph 3 of the Revised Penal Code have been filed against the unnamed suspect before the QC court. A bail of P18,000 has been recommended for the provisional liberty of the suspect.
In June, the city already apprehended a fixer who forged the signatures of medical professionals.
“Fully online na ang ating mga serbisyo, mula sa ID registration, business permit processes, at social services applications. Patuloy nating inaayos at pinapadali ang mga ito para maiwasan na ang mga fixer o middleman na mapagsamantala,” the mayor added.
According to QC PDAO Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Debbie Dacanay, the city mayor already tasked the QC General Hospital to provide free medical assessment for indigent PWDs with a non-apparent disability upon their department’s recommendation.
“Bukas ang tanggapan ng QC PDAO para i-assist ang bawat PWD. Kaagapay po ninyo kami upang masigurong matatanggap ninyo ang mga karapatan at benepisyo na para sa inyo,” Dacanay said.
PWDs who wish to apply for a QC ID may register online at the QC E-Services portal, their respective District Action Offices, or in-person at the QC PDAO District Offices and in City Hall.
