Photo from Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA)/MANILA BULLETIN
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna- Pangan commended on Friday, July 7, the companies that have helped the local government provide job opportunities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Lacuna- Pangan said the city is fortunate to receive support from several food chain companies. She named and thanked Shakey’s, Peri-Peri, KFC and the Jollibee Group of Companies as among the firms that have been constantly hiring jobseekers in the city. She said the PWDs and senior citizens are her "two favorites" in providing employment. “Kung inyong nasusubaybayan, ang paborito po namin talagang hinahanapan ng trabaho ay ang aming seniors at PWDs.  Basta wliling and able sila and they have a clearance from their doctors na puwede pa silang magtrabaho ay talagang hinahanapan namin sila (If you have been observing, our favorite job seekers are our seniors and PWDs. As long as they are willing and able and they have a clearance from their doctors that they can still work, we are really looking jobs for them),” Lacuna told the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA). According to Lacuna, providing such opportunities to marginalized sectors will positively affect the overall economy of the city. She also assured that the administration will continue to provide jobs to residents regardless of their age or status in life. “’Kapag lahat ay nabibgyan ng opportunity na magtrabaho, ito ay isang paraan para kahit anong edad maging productive sila. Kailangan po natin ng manpower at ‘yung job opportunities… it’s just a matter of kung aakma sila sa job opportunity na naibibigay sa kanila (When everyone is given the opportunity to work, it becomes a way for people of any age to be productive. We need manpower and job opportunities... it's just a matter of whether they will fit in the job opportunity that is given to them)." The local chief executive stressed that the job opportunities provided to marginalized sector aims to boost morale and self-confidence and prevent discrimination. She added that employed senior citizens and PWDs will prevent them from entertaining the thought that they are a burden to their families. “Walang discrimination, bawal ‘yan sa city of Manila. Kapag may ganyan, nire-report o pinagbibigay-alam kaagad sa DSW (There is no discrimination, that is forbidden in the city of Manila. When something like that happens, it is reported or informed immediately to DSW),” the mayor said.