Parañaque 2nd district Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is batting for the creation of public offices at the local government level that will help persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens land jobs.

Such offices--to be known as Local Centers for Inclusive Employment (LCIEs)--will partner with the private sector to assist PWDs and seniors for this purpose. According to Yamsuan's proposal, they will also provide access to upskilling opportunities--

“Disabled persons and seniors who are fit to work can become productive members of our economy  if given the chance. However, many PWDs and  elderly citizens remain poor because they find it difficult to get hired for jobs that suit them,” Yamsuan said iin a statement Tuesday, July 8.

“Sayang ang kanilang galing, dedikasyon at sipag na madadala sa kanilang trabaho kung  sila ay mananatiling jobless. Sa halip na kaawaan o hindi bigyang pansin, dapat ay kinikilala natin ang kanilang mga kakayahang makapag-ambag sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya,” added Yamsuan.  

(Their talent, dedication and diligence that they will bring to the workplace will go to waste if they remain jobless. Instead of pitying or ignoring them, we should recognize their capabilities to contribute to our economic growth.)

Yamsuan said he will soon re-file in the 20th Congress a bill which aims to mandate the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to set up, operate and maintain job facilitation offices called LCIEs for PWDs and seniors.

These LCIEs will be established upon the request of the LGUs in capital towns, key cities and other strategic areas. 

The proposed legislation was filed earlier by Yamsuan in the previous 19th Congress following extensive consultations conducted with seniors and PWDs in his home city of Parañaque. 

Among the complaints aired by PWDs and senior citizens during these meetings were the perceived lack of government support in helping them find jobs that match their skills and qualifications. 

Yamsuan said that despite the enactment of laws that aim to encourage the hiring of  PWDs and seniors, government data show low labor participation rates in these sectors. 

Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveal that only 353,000 PWDs were gainfully employed out of the 1.9 million who were within working age in 2022. 

In the same year, the elderly sector faced a similar predicament where only 38.2 percent or about 965,200 of 2.54 million qualified senior citizens were employed. 

A study made by the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) found that most PWDs were unaware that they can seek assistance in finding jobs through existing Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in LGUs. 

Yamsuan said his proposed measure includes a provision that would mandate LCIEs to establish partnerships with employers who shall regularly submit a list of job vacancies available to PWDs and seniors.  

The  LCIEs, which will operate as units under PESOs,  shall also provide PWDs and seniors with sufficient information on employment opportunities, along with the labor market situation in their respective communities, Yamsuan said. 

Each LCIE is also tasked under the bill to provide seniors and PWDs with  relevant information, education and training that they can use in enhancing their skills and employability.