By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The city government here has extended the validity of the existing Identification (ID) cards of persons with disability (PWD) until April 30.
The city has initially set the validity period until March 31.
But, Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, said that they have thought it better to not just replace the IDs but also to validate them. “It’s not just a replacement,” the mayor said.
Benitez said that previously issued PWDs can still be recognized until next month and that business establishments can validate the IDs through the city’s PWD ID hotline at 468-6269.
More than 1,700 PWD ID cards have already been validated, based on the data from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).
Benitez issued an executive order last week establishing the guidelines on the issuance of PWD IDs in the city and for other purposes.
Reissued and newly-processed or granted PWD IDs shall bear the city’s official seal and approved security features that shall include a QR code that must originate from the City’s Management and Information Technology Computer Services, according to the executive order.
The recalling of PWD IDs started last month, which aims to put an end to the proliferation of fake PWD ID cards.
The DSSD has discovered that more than 100 existing PWD ID cards here were fake, following the pronouncement of Benitez to recall all existing PWD IDs in the city for validation.
Benitez said there is a need to harmonize the guidelines of the city in the issuance of PWD ID in consonance with the national regulations to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of the identification process, making sure that individuals with disabilities receive the support and services they are entitled to under the law, as well as ensuring that indiscriminate issuance of PWD IDs is discontinued.
