Honoring the benefits and privileges of persons with disabilities (PWDs) cannot be refused by establishments due to questions raised at the time the identification cards were presented by the holders, said the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez issued a legal opinion on behalf of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on the “Denial and withholding of PWD benefits and privileges over authenticity questions raised on the cards.”

If the PWD ID card cannot be verified at the time of presentation or does not comply with existing laws and implementing rules and regulations, particularly provisions of Republic Act 10754 (the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability) and its IRR (implementing rules and regulations).”

The DoJ official said that such denial “constitutes a violation of the rights of PWDs to avail themselves of benefits and privileges.”

The legal opinion of the DoJ was addressed to National Council on Disability Affairs Officer-In-Charge Executive Director Dandy C. Victa to address the concerns of stakeholders, including establishments and local government units (LGUs), concerning the issue.

He pointed out that a perusal of RA 10754 and its IRR reveals that “verification of a PWD ID card is not required before the benefits and privileges may be availed of by a PWD.”

Vasquez cited that pertinent government agencies have issued guidelines which provide that “mere submission or presentation of a PWD ID card and other pertinent requirements, if applicable, would suffice in order for a PWD to avail himself/herself of the benefits and privileges.…”

He recounted that the issue was also discussed during an inter-agency meeting with the NCDA that was held in Quezon City last 17 January.