The Quezon City government issued a stern warning against individuals falsifying documents to acquire a persons with disability (PWD) ID, following the arrest of an alleged fixer.
On Tuesday, the Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) with the help of the City Legal Department and Quezon City Police District apprehended an individual who purportedly forged documents punishable under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code.
The alleged fixer has submitted manufactured medical certificates in the QCE-Services Portal for several individuals applying for PWD ID under the pretense of having Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia.
The PDAO personnel contacted the doctor who was said to have conducted medical assessment for the fictitious patients. He certified through his secretary that the names appeared on the said certificates do not exist in their database.
“The city government has been strict in assessing and processing all PWD ID applications to prevent this kind of false representations. 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,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The City Prosecutor has already released a resolution consolidating the complaints filed by QCPDAO against the fixer, including violation of City Ordinance 1656-2006 and Article 172 Paragraph 3 of the Revised Penal Code against using falsified documents with bail amounting to P18,000.
As the city government migrated its services online, PDAO has been able to spot persons who attempt to submit fictitious documents just to obtain a PWD ID which can be used to get various discounts and benefits.
In June, the city already 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,” the mayor added.
According to QC PDAO Officer-in-Charge Ms. Debbie Dacanay, Mayor Belmonte already tasked the Quezon City General Hospital to provide free medical assessment for indigent PWDs with non-apparent disability upon their department’s recommendation.
“Bukas ang tanggapan ng QC PDAO para i-assist ang bawat PWD. Kaagapay po ninyo kami upang masigurong matatanggap ninyo ang mga karapatan at benepisyo na para sa inyo,” Dacanay said.
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.
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