Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday directed a probe of the irregular issuance of persons with disability (PWDs) identification cards to unqualified individuals in the past administration.
She reacted to reports that PWD IDs were allegedly issued to six immediate members of a well-off family even if they were not qualified under Republic Act 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits And Privileges of PWDs.
She instructed city legal officer Niño Casimiro to issue show-cause orders to then city officials who could be behind the fraud.
She also directed an audit of PDAO.
The city government’s official list of PWDs is now being thoroughly reviewed and procedural safeguards are now being installed to make sure that only those qualified under the law will enjoy its protection and privileges, she said.
She assured business owners being direct victims of such fraudulent act by unscrupulous individuals and corrupt government officials that the matter was being taken seriously by the present administration.
“Any abuse or negligence of their plight as in this case shall be dealt with accordingly to the fullest extent of the law,” the city government said.
A photo of the IDs went viral on social media.
“Abuse of the law has become alarming. Unscrupulous persons are taking advantage of the situation,” the city mayor said.
She personally went with city legal officer Niño Casimiro to the PWDs Affairs Office to look into the records of those involved.
She found out that there were no application forms or supporting documents on record to justify the issuance of their ID cards.
The family allegedly paid P2,000 each for each card.
“Abuse by the rich and powerful at the expense of the handicapped and less fortunate will never be condoned or tolerated in this city,” the mayor said.