MANILA, Philippines – Lubhang naapektuhan at na-trivialize ang hirap ng mga lehitimong holder ng persons with disabilities (PWD) IDs dahil sa mga nagsulputang pekeng ID, ayon sa Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Sinabi ng CHR na ang paggamit ng pekeng PWD IDs “is a serious violation of the law and an affront to the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.”
“Fraudulent practices of this nature undermine the integrity of these privileges and trivialize the legitimate struggles and daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities. These benefits are essential to improving their quality of life and fostering inclusivity in society,” dagdag na pahayag ng CHR nitong Lunes, Disyembre 23.
Ang pahayag ng CHR ay kasunod ng rebelasyon ni Senador Sherwin Gatchalian kasabay ng pagdinig ng Senate committee on ways and means kung saan ang government at private businesses ay nawawalan ng P110 billion “in terms of tax leakage” dahil sa mga pekeng PWD IDs.
Ani Gatchalian, mayroong 8.5 milyong pekeng PWD IDs ang kumakalat sa bansa.
Sinabi naman ng Department of Health na mayroon lamang 1.8 milyong PWD ang nakarehistro sa bansa na ‘entitled’ para sa 20 percent discount sa value-added taxes sa piling produkto at serbisyo.
Para labanan ang pagkalat ng pekeng PWD ID, sinabi ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na plano nitong bumuo ng isang unified ID system.
Para naman sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), magsasagawa sila ng crackdown laban sa pekeng PWD IDs.
Pinuri ng CHR ang dalawang inisyatibong ito at sinabing “they are crucial in safeguarding the benefits and privileges accorded to persons with disabilities while ensuring that resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them.” RNT/JGC
