(Photos courtesy: Quezon City government)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — About 300 persons with disabilities (PWDs) were given permanent jobs by the Quezon City government in support of their gainful employment.
Under its “Kasama Ka sa Kyusi: Ang Taong May Kapansanan ay May Karapatan at Kakayahan,” 300 PWDs were given jobs in various departments and offices in the QC hall.
“The local government is aware of the challenges experienced by our brothers and sisters with disabilities, especially in finding a permanent and decent job. So through this program, we will ensure that more opportunities open up for them that are also in line with their skills and talents,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Based on the data provided by te QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), 14 percent or 7,620 of the 54,000 registered PWDs aged 18 to 59 are unemployed as of July 2023.
Currently, the QC government has 253 contractual, job order and permanent employees belonging to the PWD sector or 1.2 percent of the total workforce of 17,000.
Under Republic Act No. 10524 or Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability, almost one percent of all positions in all government agencies, offices, or corporations are reserved for PWDs.
“The QC government will take the lead and serve as an example to other government agencies and even the private sector in providing jobs to PWDs. Their disability is not a barrier to being productive citizens. They just need a break or an opportunity to prove what they can do,” Belmonte added.
Aside from work, they will also be given devices that PWDs need such as hearing aids, eyeglasses, canes, wheelchairs, and walkers. (PIA-NCR)
