By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City government has extended the validity of the previously-issued persons with disability identification cards (PWD IDs) until April 30.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said business establishments can still accept old PWD IDs until April 30, and they can call the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) through their PWD ID hotline at 468-6269 for validation.

The initial validity period was set until February 29.

DSSD head Alma Gustilo said more than 1,700 PWD IDs with quick response codes have been validated and issued as of yesterday, to eliminate the proliferation of fake IDs in the city.

Benitez said the city government decided to validate old PWD IDs first before issuing new ones made of polyvinyl chloride.

DSSD records showed the city government issued around 12,000 old PWD IDs.

The issuance of the new IDs started last February 12, after Benitez issued a memorandum recalling previously-issued IDs, as part of the city government’s program to secure and streamline the processing of PWD IDs.

“It is essential to ensure data security, complying with updated regulations, addressing other relevant concerns regarding the PWD cards, including the indiscriminate issuance of PWD IDs which has come to my knowledge,” Benitez said.

He directed the DSSD to strictly comply with the provisions of Republic Act 10754, which grants PWDs at least 20 percent discount on the sale of goods and services; the Department of Health’s Administrative Order 2013-0005-A; and other regulations on the issuance and replacement of new PWD IDs./MS, WDJ