In a decisive move against the misuse of fake disability identification, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has thrown his weight behind the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) proposal for a unified persons with disabilities (PWD) ID system. Speaking out on February 14, 2025, Romualdez emphasized the urgency of rolling out this system to safeguard the rights of legitimate PWDs and protect businesses from fraudulent claims.
Romualdez highlighted the detrimental effects of counterfeit PWD IDs, which not only defraud businesses but also erode trust and increase scrutiny on genuine PWDs trying to access their entitled benefits. He described the use of fake IDs as a form of theft, stripping resources from those in genuine need and placing an undue burden on law-abiding companies.
To address these issues, Romualdez proposed the inclusion of advanced security measures in the new ID system, such as QR codes and tamper-proof verification methods, which have shown success in some local areas. He also called for harsher penalties for those involved in the creation and use of fraudulent IDs, aiming to deter such criminal activities.
Furthermore, Romualdez announced that the House of Representatives is working on legislation to standardize PWD ID issuance across the nation, enhance validation processes, and impose stricter penalties on fraudsters. He urged all stakeholders, including the public, to actively participate in verifying IDs and reporting any misuse, reinforcing the collective responsibility to maintain the integrity of government programs.
The call for action comes in the wake of a police operation in Manila on February 5, 2025, where counterfeit PWD IDs were seized, underscoring the pressing need for a secure and unified ID system.