The Quezon City government on Sunday, Sept. 11, warned the public against individuals falsifying documents to acquire a persons with disability (PWD) ID.
“The city government has been strict in assessing and processing all PWD ID applications to prevent this kind of false representations," Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.
"Hindi natin papayagan ang ganitong klaseng gawain sa ating lungsod na makakaapekto sa kapakanan at karapatan ng ating mga mamamayan lalo na ‘yung mga nabibilang sa vulnerable sectors tulad ng PWDs (We will not allow this kind of work in our city to affect the welfare and rights of our citizens, especially those who belong to vulnerable sectors such as PWDs),” she added.
The Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), along with the City Legal Department and Quezon City Police District, had arrested an individual who submitted forged medical certificates in the QCE-Services Portal for several individuals applying for PWD ID under the pretense of having Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia last Sept. 6.
According to PDAO, one of their staff contacted the doctor who was said to have conducted a medical assessment for the fictitious patients. He then confirmed with his secretary that the names on the said certificates were not on their database.
A resolution consolidating the complaints filed by QCPDAO against the fixer, including violation of City Ordinance 1656-2006 and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code against using falsified documents with bail amounting to P18,000 has already been released by the city prosecutor.
In June, the city also apprehended a fixer who forged signatures of medical professionals.
“Fully online na ang ating mga serbisyo, mula sa ID registration, business permit processes, at social services applications. Patuloy nating inaayos at pinapadali ang mga ito para maiwasan na ang mga fixer o middleman na mapagsamantala (Our services are fully online, from ID registration, business permit processes, and social services applications. We are constantly improving and simplifying them to avoid exploitative fixers or middlemen),” the mayor said.
The local chief executive has also already ordered the Quezon City General Hospital to provide free medical assessment for indigent PWDs with non-apparent disability upon their department’s recommendation.
PWDs who wish to apply for a QC ID may register online at the QC E-Services portal, or through their respective District Action Offices or in-person at the QC PDAO District Offices and in City Hall.