After council’s probe call: Printing of PWD IDs suspended

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has ordered the immediate suspension of the printing of the new Persons with Disabilities (PWD) identification cards (IDs) for seven days, pending result of the investigation into their selling to able-bodied persons.

This came following a City Council resolution the Office of the Mayor to investigate the matter.

In a press conference yesterday, Garcia said he is “serious” on pursuing the matter, as he announced his directive for Acting City Administrator Kristine Joyce Batucan to review the guidelines on how those who qualify can obtain a PWD ID and its corresponding financial assistance.

The acting mayor also ordered Batucan to revamp the PWD Unit under the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and reestablish the strict enforcement of the requirements.

He likewise said that the suspension of the issuance of new PWD IDs stays, pending conclusion of the review, which include verifying if the recipients of the cards indeed deserve them.

“Huwaton nalang na nato. It’s not gonna take long, I will make a statement after my review,” Garcia said.

The investigation was prompted by the privilege speech of City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco during their regular session last Wednesday, when he revealed that it came to his attention that the PWD IDs were being sold from P2,000 to P4,000.

He named four individuals (whose names The Freeman is withholding, in the meantime) whom the City Council summoned to an executive session on June 6 “to shed light on the scheme”.

Garcia said the City would have to investigate the four and directed the Human Resource Development Office and the Cebu City Legal Office to do so.

“Kasabot man sad ta no nga there is a PWD sector that really needs our help, and the PWD sector sometimes is unnoticed by the government and by the society, and we acknowledge that. That’s why we are giving all these benefits to them,” he said.

“I hope that as a result of this, atong PWD sector will be more discerning, they can also police their own ranks and at the same time once this issue is out, people can be more aware,” he added.

The acting mayor warned that he “always means business” and those proven guilty would be sanctioned. — /RHM (FREEMAN)