The Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (Resto PH) has warned that the proliferation of counterfeit Persons with Disabilities (PWD) cards is crippling the restaurant industry, pushing many establishments to the brink of collapse.

In a statement, Resto PH said that the widespread abuse of the PWD discount system poses an unsustainable financial burden, particularly on smaller, family-run businesses.

Resto PH explained that the legally mandated 20 percent discount for PWD cardholders is absorbed entirely by the restaurants, not subsidized by the government.

Each fraudulent discount, therefore, directly cuts into already thin profit margins, the group said.

The impact is magnified, they added, when multiple fake cards are used at a single table, resulting in significant losses.

"This isn't just about lost revenue," Resto PH said. “It affects employees, food quality, and even menu prices for honest customers."

The group emphasized that the problem is especially acute for small and family-owned restaurants, where such losses can be the difference between staying afloat and shutting down permanently.

Resto PH is calling for the fair and proper implementation of the PWD discount, ensuring it benefits those it was intended to serve.

They are also urging the public to recognize the detrimental consequences of using or condoning counterfeit PWD cards and appealing to consumers to support their local restaurants by refusing to participate in such fraudulent activity.

The group hopes that by raising awareness, they can protect both the rights of PWD cardholders and the livelihoods of restaurant owners.

“If you care about the restaurants you love, help protect them-say no to fake PWD cards,” Resto PH said.