BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) in the Cordillera region is calling on government and private sectors to hire more qualified persons with disability (PWDs) to help address the continued gaps in their employment situation.
During the 4th Quarter RCDA meeting held recently, committee members discussed concerns and strategies to promote the realization of the rights of PWDs to participate fully in the social life and development of the societies in which they live and the enjoyment of the opportunities available to other citizens.
Baguio City Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) chief Dr. Samuel Aquino reminded that Republic Act 10524 or “An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for PWDs” requires government offices to reserve at least one percent of their total positions to PWDs while corporations with more than 100 employees are encouraged to do the same.
Aquino stressed that PWDs should not be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment.
“They have the right to be employed in the same way as able-bodied people are, as long as they are qualified in the sense that they should also comply with the minimum requirements like in the government which is to be eligible regardless if professional or sub-professional level,” he said.
DSWD Cordillera Assistant Regional Director for Operations Amelyn Cabrera informed private entities that PWDs employed either as regular employee, apprentice or learner, shall be entitled to an additional deduction from their gross income, equivalent to 25 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to PWDs, provided, however, that such entities present proof as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Health as to their disability, skills and qualifications.
Meanwhile, Avelino Tomas of the Regional Federation of Persons with Disability (RFPWD), expressed concerns regarding the qualifications of PWDs to be employed in government, and appealed that it be made more flexible.
“What I want to express here is maging magaan naman sana, as long as you can do things. Bakit napaka stringent naman, wala ka talagang makuhang PWD. Iyong nag graduate ng teacher na blind sa SLU, asan siya? Nag mamasahe. Mag eencode lang naman kailangan pa ng eligibility,” Tomas said.
The Civil Service Commission and the Department of Labor and Employment will present the data of employed PWDs in government and private establishments next meeting. (JDP/MAWC-PIA CAR)
