THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is investigating reports of alleged abuse of discount cards meant for Persons with Disability (PWD).
The DTI said the probe follows a social media post, showing a photo of a family from Quezon City whose members all claimed to have some kind of disability.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Sunday said that a group of restaurant owners has reached out to DTI regarding multiple fraudulent usages of PWD identification cards.
“Abuse of privilege in any law ruins the spirit behind it. Such discount is solely meant for actual persons with disability,” Lopez said.
The PWD cards allow bearers to avail of 20 percent discount and exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) for certain goods and services, including food establishments, hotels, and recreational centers.
The discount also applies to medical and dental services and the purchase of essential drugs and medicines.
“Especially in this time of crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, people should not be abusing their PWD ID cards since many restaurant owners are also facing difficulty in keeping their businesses afloat,” Lopez said.
Restaurants in general community quarantine areas are allowed to operate their dine-in services at only up to 30 percent of store capacity. (ABS-CBN News)
