Providing job opportunities for PWDs is part of the local government’s efforts to be more inclusive and likewise adhere to the law.

Out of the 54,000 registered persons with disabilities (PWDS) in the city who are aged 18 to 59, 7,620 of them are unemployed as of July 2023. This is according to the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of the Quezon City government.

Given these numbers, the Quezon City LGU aims to lower the number of unemployed PWDs by launching the “Kasama ka sa Kyusi: Ang Taong May Kapansanan at may Karapatan at Kakayahan” program. Through this program, the city government is planning to hire 300 PWDs. As of writing, the Quezon City LGU has employed 253 contractual, job order, and permanent PWD employees. 

This effort aligns with Republic Act 10524 or an Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability, which requires all government agencies and even corporations to allot 1% of all positions to PWDs. 

The Quezon City government previously announced a separate program that aims to book employability for the city’s youth. 

How the Program Works 

The local government has already kickstarted the program by taking in 100 PWDs, who then went through interviews and job assessments by PDAO as well as the Public Employment Service Office. Based on the evaluation, the PWDs will be assigned to city departments that match their skills and capabilities.

According to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, those who perform well in their respective departments will then be hired either as contractual or full-time employees of the city government. 

PDAO Officer-in-Charge Deborah Dacanay said, “The local government will continue to craft more programs and activities to ensure that no one will be left behind and that all will benefit from the city’s progress.” 

What Businesses Can Learn from This

PWDs are part of the most vulnerable members of the country, and businesses play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive society that provides more opportunities for them. 

The Philippine Star notes that several private establishments have already employed PWDs. These private establishments include Overdoughs, Pancake House, and SM Malls. And given that the law actually requires corporations to allot 1% of all positions to PWDs, businesses should follow in the footsteps of the Quezon City government by providing employment opportunities to PWDs.