The Quezon City government announced on Sunday, Aug. 20, that it launched a program that will provide job opportunities to 300 of the city's persons with disabilities (PWDs) as part of its commitment to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity to the most vulnerable sectors in the city.

Through the "Kasama Ka sa Kyusi: Ang Taong May Kapansanan ay May Karapatan at Kakayahan" initiative, the local government said it will hire PWDs who will be assigned to different city departments and offices.

Quezon CIty Mayor Joy Belmonte led the launching ceremony at the Quezon City Hall on Saturday, Aug. 19, along with city department heads and PWD residents.

The city government said that 14 percent or 7,620 of the 54,000 registered PWDs, 18 to 59 years old, are unemployed as of July 2023, based on the data of the QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).

It added that under Republic Act No. 10524 (Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability), at least one percent of all government agencies, offices, or corporations positions shall be allotted for PWDs.

It said that at present, it has 253 contractual, job order, and permanent employees belonging to the PWD sector, representing 1.2 percent of its total workforce of 17,000.

“Batid ng lokal na pamahalaan ang hirap na dinaranas ng mga kapatid nating may kapansanan lalo na sa paghahanap ng permanente at disenteng trabaho. Kaya sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, titiyakin natin na mas maraming magbukas na oportunidad para sa kanila na nakaayon din sa kanilang galing at talento (The local government is aware of the difficulties that our brothers and sisters with disabilities suffer, 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)," Belmonte said.

"Ang QC Government ang mangunguna at magsisilbing halimbawa sa iba pang government agencies at maging sa pribadong sektor sa pagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga PWD. Hindi hadlang ang kanilang kapansanan para maging produktibong mamamayan. Kailangan lang nila ng break o pagkakataon para mapatunayan ang kaya nilang gawin (The QC Government will take the lead and serve as an example to other government agencies and even the private sector in providing employment to PWDs. Their disability is not a hindrance to become productive citizens. They just need a break or a chance to prove what they can do)," she added.

The city government initially took in a total of 100 PWDs who underwent interviews and job assessment by the PDAO and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

It added that the PWD applicants will be assigned to city departments based on their skills and capabilities after an evaluation.

Belmonte said PWDs who perform well will be given an opportunity to become contract of service or permanent city government employees.

Meanwhile, an Inclusivity Summit is being organized by the QC Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) is to encourage the private sector to hire more PWDs.

A number of private establishments in the city are already employing PWDs including HisBeans Café, Cabalen Group, Shakeys, Pancake House, Overdoughs, Concentrix, and SM Malls.

The city government said it has already  coordinated with other companies and establishments to be part of this program. 

The local government is also distributing assistive devices such as hearing aids, eyeglasses,  canes, wheelchairs, and walkers, social welfare assistance, livelihood training, and urban farming starter kits to the PWDs.
 

QC PDAO Officer-in-charge Deborah Dacanay said the local government will create various programs to ensure that no one will be left behind in the city’s development.