BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas issued an executive order (EO) to abate the proliferation of fake identification cards (IDs) of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in this city.
The city mayor on Wednesday, Nov. 29, signed EO No. 157 that directs the installation of security labels for every ID issued for PWD. It takes effect immediately.
“With the significant discount granted by law to PWD, there is great tendency for the people to counterfeit their IDs in order to avail themselves of such benefit,” read part of the EO.
Treñas also said there have been reports and actual apprehensions of fake PWD IDs.
Under Republic Act No. 10754, or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability, PWDs are granted at least 20% discount from the sale of selected products and services.
The said security label in the form of a traceable customized tamper proof and evident security label shall be provided for and installed by the city’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).
Previously issued PWD IDs, meanwhile, that are still valid shall be brought back to the PDAO for installation of the security label within three months from the effectivity of the EO. Failure to present the ID card for the installation of security label within the period prescribed shall invalidate the same.
Among the prohibited acts are:
* production of counterfeit PWD ID cards for sale, trade, distribution, dispensation, or use;
* selling, peddling, distributing, dispensing, or using counterfeit PWD IDs; and
* possession of counterfeit PWD IDs.
Any person who shall commit the prohibited acts may face criminal charges. If that person is an employee of the city government, proper administrative sanctions shall be imposed by the Human Resource Office, in addition to criminal charges as may be applied.
The City Legal Office would be the one to file criminal charges against any person in cases of violation of this order./PN
