The Senate has recommended the QR code system to prevent the spread of fake persons with disability (PWD) identification cards (IDs), highlighting the initiative of the Bacolod City government.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Albelardo Benitez, who served as a resource person at the Senate hearing yesterday, explained how the city government prevented the spread of fake PWD IDs and other government issued documents through the QR code system.
Through the system, complaints from commercial establishment owners regarding fake PWD and senior citizen IDs have been deterred since its recall earlier this year, Benitez said.
Glenda Relova, director of the National Council on Disability Affairs, expressed interest in copying the QR system on PWD IDs by the city government.
Based on the data from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, more than P88 billion in tax leakages was caused by fake PWD IDs across the country.
The hearing centered on Senate Resolution 1239, highlighting concerns about tax leakages resulting from misusing fraudulent PWD IDs.
The fake IDs allow individuals to claim a 20-percent discount on purchases and services.
Reports indicated that fake PWD IDs were sold for P300 in Bacolod City before the implementation of the QR code system.
The initiative has improved data security of PWD IDs, which could disrupt government processes and business operations.
As of November 26, Bacolod City issued more than 17,000 PWD IDs and over 50,000 senior citizen IDs with QR codes. / With reports from PNA / WDJ