NCDA checking complaints on issuance of PWD IDs in Quezon City

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) said Thursday it is now checking complaints on the issuance of identification cards for persons with disability in Quezon City.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, NCDA deputy executive director Mateo Lee Jr. said their office has been receiving complaints that PWD IDs in Quezon City are supposedly being sold.

"In fact 'yung Quezon City ang tinitingnan namin ngayon, marami kaming natatanggap na reklamo tungkol diyan sa pagi-issue ng ID sa Persons with Disability Affairs Office ng Quezon City," Lee said.

"May issue pa rin diyan na pinagbibili 'yung ID... Itong Quezon City ang di pa naaaksyunan, tumatawag kami ng pagpupulong sa office ni Mayor Joy Belmonte at 'yung kaniyang representatives sa Social Welfare Office at head ng Persons with Disability Office," he added.

According to Lee, PWD IDs should be free but he noted that administrative costs such as the printing of cards are allowed by the government. Despite the rule, Lee said the NCDA received a report that PWD IDs are being sold for P1,500.

"General rule namin talagang libre, siguro 'yung administrative cost lang, for example 'yung printing ng ID nila, inaallow naman 'yun. 'Yung sa amin nagreport, sinisingil siya ng P1,500, 'yan ang hindi namin alam bakit ganon," he said.

Lee mentioned that complaints on PWD IDs have already been resolved in the cities of Manila and Valenzuela.

He reminded the public that a medical certificate must be secured if one wishes to get a PWD ID, noting that doctors of the local government unit could assess if an individual will be given a PWD ID.

"Lahat ng nag-apply ng pagkakaroon ng ID ay dumadaan sa pagsasala ng mga doktor. Most likely, nire-recognize natin 'yung city and municipal health officer, 'yung doktor mismo sa city hall..." he said.

"Nasa batas kasi 'yan eh... ang puwede mag-issue 'yung barangay captain at mayor pero kaya nga noong gumawa kami ng polisiya tungkol diyan, isinentro muna namin sa munisipyo... si mayor na lang muna," he added.

Earlier, the Department of the Interior and Local Government called on LGUs to be strict in issuing PWD IDs after receiving reports that some persons are enjoying the privilege of having one even if they are not really PWDs.—AOL, GMA News