Fake PWD cards being used to get into priority list

MANILA, Philippines — Some individuals are using fake persons with disability (PWD) identification cards to get into the COVID-19 jab priority list, a lawmaker said on Monday.

Ang Probinsyano Rep. Ronnie Ong said he had received reports that 90 percent of the recipients in one vaccination center in Manila were all Filipino-Chinese who claimed to be PWDs but most of them “appeared to be very healthy, fully functional and had no signs of any disability.”

He, however, acknowledged that these were nonapparent disabilities. Ong urged the government to verify the authenticity of PWD cards. Ong said these fake cards were also being used to get discounts and privileges from business establishments.

—Nestor Corrales