The Bacolod City government began issuing new Persons With Disability (PWD) identified cards with QR (quick response) codes at the Bacolod Express Service Office (BESO) at the 3rd Floor of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central on Monday, February 12.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the replacement of 12,000 PWD cards in Bacolod City with new ones with security codes to curb the proliferation of fakes and those issued to undeserving individuals.
PWD cards used by individuals without disabilities are abused to avail of the 20 percent discount and VAT exemption on specific purchases of goods and services such as medicines, domestic transportation, food in restaurants, accommodations.
However, some PWDs complained on Monday about the tedious process of availing of new cards. They were required to get medical certificates from their doctors, go to the City Health Office, and the Old City Hall to complete the paper work to avail of new PWD cards at the BESO, they said.
The old PWD cards will be valid only until the end of February.
PWD ID applicants are classified under seven categories: psychosocial disability, disability caused by chronic illness, learning disability, mental disability, visual disability, orthopedic disability and communication disability.*