Fake Persons with Disabilities (PWD) identification cards are being sold online, with Senator Raffy Tulfo warning that the scheme is hurting legitimate PWDs and businesses forced to shoulder the cost of discounts.

During the Senate deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on October 21, Tulfo cited Department of Justice (DOJ) data showing that around eight million PWD IDs are in circulation nationwide, but only two million are legitimate and registered with the National Council on Disability Affairs.

The senator said the misuse of fake IDs has reportedly cost businesses as much as P166 billion, particularly those in the restaurant industry.

“Talamak ang pagkalat ng mga pekeng PWD IDs na ginagamit upang manloko ng kapwa. Mayroon namang legit na PWD ID pero wala namang sakit at hindi qualified ang cardholder,” Tulfo said.

“Ang pinakakawawa dito ay ang mga lehitimong may kapansanan na dapat nakikinabang sa diskwentong 20% at ang mga maliliit na negosyo na pumapasan sa dagdag na gastos,” he added.

David Sison, president of the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (RESTOPH), recounted in an interview with Tulfo’s Senate team an incident in which every member of a family, including the parents, children and household helper, reportedly had a PWD ID.

RESTOPH coordinated with the NCDA and the Department of Health to look into the problem. Tulfo also checked reports of PWD IDs being sold on Facebook Marketplace and Carousell.

Verifying whether an ID is genuine remains a challenge. Tulfo said the DOH’s online verification system was reportedly not up to date, while more than 2,500 local government units issue PWD IDs with different designs, formats and databases.

The senator called for tighter screening of applications and clearer rules on which disabilities qualify for an ID to prevent people from abusing the benefits intended for persons with disabilities.

“Huwag natin gamitin sa kalokohan ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang may kapansanan,” he said.

Despite raising the issue, the senator supported the DSWD’s proposed budget, saying its programs serve poor and disadvantaged Filipinos who depend on government assistance.IMT