Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo has expressed alarm over the widespread circulation of fake Persons with Disabilities (PWD) identification cards in the Philippines, with the illegal sale of such IDs thriving on online platforms.
During the Senate deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on October 21, Sen. Tulfo cited data from the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicating that approximately eight million PWD IDs are in circulation nationwide, but only two million are legitimate and registered with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).
The proliferation of fraudulent PWD IDs has reportedly resulted in losses amounting to as much as P166 billion for business establishments, particularly those in the restaurant industry. Tulfo said the practice has also contributed to growing public skepticism toward individuals who present PWD IDs to claim discounts, including legitimate beneficiaries who are entitled to such privileges.
“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 also added.
In a video recording of an interview conducted by Sen. Tulfo’s Senate team with David Sison, president of RESTOPH, an association of restaurant owners in the Philippines, Sison recounted an instance in which every member of a family, including the mother, father, children, and household helper, reportedly possessed a PWD ID.
Following RESTOPH’s coordination with the NCDA and the Department of Health (DOH), their investigation reportedly found that obtaining PWD IDs online was alarmingly easy. Sen. Tulfo likewise verified reports of widespread online selling of these IDs through platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Carousell.
Tulfo also pointed out the difficulties in verifying the authenticity of PWD IDs. Although the DOH maintains a website for verification, its information is reportedly not up to date. More than 2,500 local government units issue PWD IDs nationwide, yet their designs, formats, and databases are not standardized, making verification more challenging.
The senator stressed the need to review the requirements for issuing PWD IDs and address weaknesses in the application and approval process. He also called for clearer criteria on which disabilities qualify individuals for the ID to prevent abuse of the system and ensure that benefits reach those who genuinely need them.
“Huwag natin gamitin sa kalokohan ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang may kapansanan,” he said.
Despite raising concerns over the misuse of PWD IDs, Sen. Tulfo expressed support for the DSWD’s proposed budget, emphasizing that the agency’s programs primarily benefit poor and underprivileged Filipinos who rely on government assistance.