Iloilo City: The local government has assured the public that strict measures are in place to prevent the proliferation of fake persons with disability (PWD) ID cards in the city. Acknowledging the growing concerns about fraudulent PWD IDs and their impact on local businesses, Joy Fantilaga, spokesperson for Mayor Jerry Tre±as, emphasized the need to develop proactive measures to address the issue.

According to Philippines News Agency, as early as last year, measures were implemented to protect businesses from abuse while ensuring that only legitimate PWDs receive the benefits intended for them. In 2023, Tre±as issued Executive Order 157, mandating that all PWD ID cards issued by the city government bear security labels. Since March 2024, only those PWD ID cards with the official security label or sticker have been honored in all establishments in the city.

Fantilaga reiterated the importance of adhering to this directive, stating, "This is a reminder once again to all establishments to strictly honor only PWD cards with the security label or sticker. This directive ensures that discounts rightfully serve those who need them while protecting businesses from financial losses due to fraudulent claims." She further explained that the Persons with Disability Affairs Office has already placed security labels on 15,643 PWD IDs, which is nearly equivalent to the number of PWDs in Iloilo City. Meanwhile, 842 fake IDs have been confiscated so far.

The Restaurant Owners of the Philippines recently warned about the financial strain on businesses due to the widespread abuse of fake PWD IDs. Under current regulations, a person holding a PWD ID is entitled to a 20 percent discount when availing of services, including food, transportation, and medical services, among others.