February 10 ------ A unified persons with disability (PWD) identification (ID) system will be implemented by the end of the year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said. “By the end of this year, meron na tayo unified ID system,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.
The unified PWD ID system is DSWD’s move to address the proliferation of fake PWD IDs. The Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (RESTO PH) has denounced the "widespread abuse" of fake PWD IDs for discounts in restaurants and other establishments, noting that it "is now putting a serious strain on restaurants and other businesses."
Authorities have raided a small room in Manila where fake PWD IDs were allegedly being printed, issued by the Quezon City, Manila, Pasig, Muntinlupa, and Angat in Bulacan.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue issued a warning last December against the sale and use of counterfeit PWD IDs as such acts would be tantamount to tax evasion. The government has lost around P88.2 billion worth of taxes in 2023 because of fake PWD IDs, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said last December. Currently, the appearance of the PWD IDs varies depending on the local government unit issuing them. With the unified ID system, it will have a standard look.
Now that the unified PWD ID system is in its pilot implementation stage this January to June, DSWD is working on its terms of reference, Dumlao said. She added that DSWD is working with the National Privacy Commission to ensure data security among PWDs. Dumlao also said DWSD is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Philippine Statistics Authority to ensure smooth issuance of the unified PWD IDs.
The new PWD IDs will have security features such as the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and it can link establishments to a webpage portal where they can verify the legitimacy of the user. Under Republic Act 10754, PWDs are entitled to a grant of 20% discount and VAT exemption on the purchase of certain goods and services from all establishments for their exclusive use, enjoyment or availment.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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