Bacolod City govt’s standard in fighting fake PWD cards get Senate committee recognition

Bacolod City was highlighted by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, led by Senator Win Gatchalian, for its innovative security feature on PWD identification cards.

This recognition came during discussions on Senate Resolution No. 1239 on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Justice, Welfare and Rural Development public hearing at the Senator Pecson Room, 2nd Floor, Senate of the Philippines, which directs the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the impact of tax leakages caused by the proliferation and misuse of fake PWD IDs.

The resolution seeks to address how these fraudulent IDs are used to unlawfully claim the 20% PWD discount and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption, negatively affecting government tax collection.

To combat the issue of counterfeit PWD IDs, Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez has implemented QR codes on PWD cards. This initiative ensures that individuals who truly belong to the PWD sector receive the discounts they are entitled to.

The QR code allows establishments in Bacolod to easily scan and verify the authenticity of PWD cards, preventing fraud and ensuring that only legitimate cardholders benefit from the privileges.

John Anthony Ledesma, President of the Bacolod Entrepreneurs United, shared: “Before the introduction of QR codes for senior citizen and PWD cards, there were many claims, and we even reached a gross claims rate of 6-8%. We didn’t know how to track or verify them. The claims would really increase. However, with the implementation of QR codes by the LGU of Bacolod, we have gained clarity. True enough, the monthly claims for PWD cards have dropped from 6-8% to only 2-3% now, thanks to the verification process enabled by the QR codes. We are truly grateful for this innovation by Mayor Albee Benitez.”

Eric Teng, representing Resto PH and the restaurant industry, added, “We deeply respect and support the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the benefits extended to them. What we want is to ensure the protection of their rights. We are very pleased with the initiatives carried out by the LGU of Bacolod under Mayor Benitez. Thank you very much for your efforts.”

Glenda Relova, Executive Director III of the National Council on Disability Affairs, expressed an interest in replicating Bacolod’s system of PWD cards with QR codes. She stated that they aim to use Bacolod as a benchmark for similar initiatives nationwide.

Bacolod’s proactive approach in implementing safety measures on its PWD cards was commended as a best practice, ensuring the legitimacy of identification cards and preventing abuse of privileges.* (W/ BCD PIO)