BONTOC, Mtn. Province – The Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) rights were highlighted in the province during the flag raising program last Monday, July 17, 2023.
Christopher Yumang, a blind staff of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), gave a briefing on the legal bases and justifications why the laws related to PWDs are not facilitated and given much attention by government.
He enumerated the possible reasons why the programs on PWDs hit snags in the implementation saying that government personnel who are supposed to help the PWDS may be hesitant to implement new mandates covered by new policies introduced by the law on PWDs.
A suggestion surfaced then that a comprehensive training on personnel fostering empathy and sensibilities to the concerns of the PWDs to be implemented. This is to instill knowledge and skills in the personnel on how to deal with PWDs. We can create the inclusive environment that the PWDs are aiming for.
Another concern that Yumang cited is budget constraints in most government agencies and offices. He said that in most cases new policies and new mandates brought about by the new laws on PWDs need adjustments in implementation and that take time or years.
RA 10524, otherwise known as An Act Expanding the Government Positions Reserved for Persons With Disabilities, “recognizes the right of persons with disability to work on an equal basis with others and to participate fully into the mainstream of society, it is the aim of this IRR to provide persons with disability, equal opportunity for employment and equal remuneration for work of equal value. Towards this end, the State shall facilitate access of persons with disability to labor market information, capacity building programs, and wage employment”.
Persons with Disability (PWD) – include those who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society in equal basis with others.
The law emphasizes Employment opportunities for PWDs: “opportunity for suitable employment shall be open to all qualified PWDs. Efforts shall be exerted to provide qualified PWDs equal opportunity in the selection process based on qualification standards prescribed for an appointment to a position in government and requirements set by the employers in private corporations. No PWD shall be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment”, says the law.
A qualified employee with disability shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives, or allowances as an employed able-bodied person.
A person with disability shall not be discriminated on the basis of disability with regard to all matters concerning all forms of employment, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuation of employment, career advancement, and safe and healthy working conditions.
At least one percent (1%) of all regular and non-regular positions in all government agencies shall be reserved for persons with disabilities.
Yumang asked for the support of the provincial employees in advocating for rights of the PWDs, to be aware of the mandates of the laws in the implementation of the concerns of the PWDs.
The National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week is being celebrated the week from July 17-23, 2023. Ms. Tabora, head of the PDAO said that a training of Municipal Disability Affairs Officers will be conducted during the week to enable them to access registry in the Department of Health Registry System.
During the radio program “Kapitolyo sa Radyo, aired earlier over Radyo Natin here, hosted by the writer and John Tay-og Pelew, Yumang also said that the PDAO that there more than 3,900 PWDs in the whole province based on the DOH validated registry consisting of deaf,, mute, visual, and physically impaired individuals.**Roger Sacyaten
