Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte underscores the fair opportunity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The Dabawenyo legislator said that PWDs are struggling in their lives due to increased expenses for their treatment or purchase of necessary equipment so that they can continue to live properly and with dignity.
“Batid naman natin na hindi balakid sa maraming PWD ang kanilang kapansanan para maisagawa ang kanilang trabaho. Kung tutuusin ay mas masipag at maasahan pa nga ang marami sa kanila kaysa sa ibang mga empleyadong walang iniindang kapansanan o sakit,” he said.
The lawmaker cited Republic Act (RA) 10524 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, which protects PWDs against discrimination.
According to Rep. Pulong, although, there is a law to ensure that PWDs are treated fairly, when it comes to applying for jobs, it is not always followed.
To address this, Rep. Pulong filed House Bill (HB) 8942, which mandates even all government agencies and government corporations to allocate positions for qualified PWDs. Even private companies with more than 100 employees are covered by this bill.
The bill states that of the total number of employees, at least one percent of the positions must be filled by qualified PWDs.
“Kaya’t kung may 100 kang job position sa iyong kumpanya, dapat ay PWD ang ilalagay sa isa rito. Hinihikayat din sa ilalim ng bill na gawin din ito ng mga kumpanyang may 100 employees or less,” Rep. Pulong said.
The bill also states that companies that comply with these provisions will be granted a tax incentive or reduction in tax payable.
Rep. Pulong said that in the Philippines, an estimated 1.57 percent of our population or more than 1.5 million people are disabled and most of them are between the ages of 15 and 49.
“Ibig sabihin ay karamihan sa kanila ay mga bata pa at nasa working age. Malaki ang maaring pakinabang nila at ambag sa ekonomiya. Dapat lang silang bigyan ng pagkakataon na mapatunayan ang kanilang galing at sipag,” he said.
