Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday vowed to go after fraudulent persons with disability (PWD) claims to ensure that assistance and support reach those who genuinely need it.
She said the Persons with Disability Affairs Office has implemented rigorous verification processes to identify and eliminate individuals falsely claiming to have a disability to be included in the list of registered PWDs.
“The improper use of PWD IDs to obtain discounts, by individuals who are not legitimate PWDs is completely unacceptable. To address this issue, we have implemented an automated registration system which makes the process more efficient and secure,” she added.
The new PWD ID registration system uses the online portal QC E-Services, where applicants must submit necessary documents as proof of their disability.
The automated process has eliminated the need for in-person transactions, removing opportunities for patronage or the involvement of fixers, the city mayor cited.
Before the COVID-19-19 pandemic, the number of PWD identification holders in Quezon City stood at around 78,000.
Due to the implementation of the automated system, it has been reduced to more than 52,000.
Moreover, out of the 7,000 rejected applications, many contained counterfeit medical certificates or were submitted by individuals who did not qualify as a PWD.Rio N. Araja
Belmonte said the city government is also prioritizing accessibility initiatives, such as plans are under way to install more facilities to enhance the mobility for PWDs.
She said private establishments are being inspected to ensure compliance with the minimum requirements and standards mandated by the Accessibility Law or Batas Pambansa Blg 344.
As part of Quezon City’s celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Awareness Week, she is encouraging PWD residents to take advantage of the city’s services designed to assist and empower them, such as the Pangkabuhayang QC program offering up to P20,000 in financial capital and comprehensive support to start their own businesses.
This year, the city launched its Social Welfare Assistance Program to PWDs who have not yet received any form of social service assistance from the national government with a monthly stipend of P500 to be distributed every quarter.
The city government is also promoting inclusivity in the workforce by offering incentives to establishments that would actively employ PWDs.
To enhance accessibility and empower PWDs to lead independent lives, a comprehensive program has been launched for the distribution of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and walking aids. Rio N. Araja