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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DTI investigating report on alleged abuse of PWD discount cards

DTI investigating report on alleged abuse of PWD discount cards

Published Jun 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Richa Noriega The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now investigating the alleged abuse of Persons with Disability (PWD) identification cards. The DTI started the investigation after a viral post on social media on June 20 showing a photo of a family from Quezon City whose members all claimed to have an impairment and disability. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (ALBERT ALCAIN/PPD / MANILA BULLETIN) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (ALBERT ALCAIN / PPD / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “Abuse of privilege in any law ruins the spirit behind it. Such a discount is solely meant for actual persons with disability. The DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), is currently investigating the matter,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement on Monday. Lopez said that a group of restaurant owners has reached out to DTI regarding the multiple fraudulent usages of PWD ID cards. He said people should not be abusing their PWD ID cards since many restaurant owners are also facing difficulty amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “Such action gives undue discrimination to people who actually have disabilities that we do not immediately see,” he added. The DTI said that under Republic Act (RA) No. 10754, the “Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability,” cardholders may avail of at least 20 percent discount and exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) for certain goods and services, including food establishments, hotels, and recreational centers, as well as medical and dental services and the purchase of essential drugs and medicines. Lopez added that such corruption must immediately be reported to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).
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