Lizada during the Business Matters media forum on Friday (Nov. 29) at Ayala Malls Abreeza said that restaurant owners in the city observed a rise in fake and spurious identification cards used by some individuals to avail of the 20 percent discount.
Lizada who is also the sectoral representative of the restaurant sector for the Tourism of Davao City, however, clarified that they have no issue providing discounts to legitimate members of the PWD sector.
He said the problem arises as some individuals allegedly take advantage of Republic Act 10754, the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWD), by using questionable cards.
Under Republic Act No. 10754, or an “Act Expanding Benefits and Privileges for with Disability,” PWDs get at least 20 percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax on “the fees and charges relative to the utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments; restaurants and recreation centers.”
He said that the spread of fake IDs not only affects restaurant owners but also undermines the rights of legitimate members of the PWD sector.
“We are coordinating right now with Resto PH, an association of restaurant owners in Manila to address the problem of fake cards. There is a proliferation of fake PWD cards. Malaki ang tama sa amin ito,” Lizada said.
Lizada admitted that currently, there is no mechanism to determine if the PWD IDs obtained from these individuals are fake or original.
“It’s unlikely that 16 lahat sila from grandfather to the grandchild lahat sila may ID, very improbable ..pero it’s happening in Manila. There’s no way of checking. Usbon nako ha if its valid walang problema,” he said.
According to him some of these fake PWD IDs are reportedly available for sale to able-bodied individuals.
“Sasama kami sa Davao Chambers para nationwide ang approach. Most people think kasi na ang senior citizens, PWD discounts ang government naga-shoulder no kami yon. The private establishments are the ones shouldering the 20 percent na nawawala,” he added.
Lizada, however, did not give a specific number of how many cases of fake PWD IDs have been reported by their members.
The Lizada family which owns some restaurants in Davao City said the use of fake PWD IDs really hurts the restaurant business, especially the homegrown establishments here that are still recovering from the adverse impact brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lizada said he sees the National IDs could help address the problem of fake identification cards.
Since the pandemic, several restaurants in the city have been closed.
He said for restaurants alone, the city recorded 889 restaurants in 2019, but these numbers went down to 658 as of October 2024.
Lizada further said that in 2019, there were 3,193 establishments have been registered and renewed in the city to include restaurants, tourism related establishments, accomodation, travel and tours, ticketing office, spa, resort, tourist transport operators both in sea and land, tour guide, and souvenir gift shops. However, as of October 2024 a total of 997 business establishments have seized their operations.
Benjie Lizada, President Davao City Restaurant Owners Association
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