Persons with disabilities (PWDs) must be provided equal employment opportunities to be able to provide for their families, former senator Bam Aquino, who is aiming for a Senate comeback in the May 2025 polls, said on Monday, March 3.
(Photo from Bam Aquino Facebook page)
Aquino stressed that companies must not focus on the limitations of the PWDs, but rather employ them based on their skills so they can be productive members of society and help their families.
The former senator shared that in his conversations with PWDs in the campaign trail, they expressed their willingness and capabilities to work and yet many of them have been denied employment because of their conditions.
“Sa mga nakausap ko, marami sa kanila ay may kakayahan at nais maging productive. Nais pong makatulong. Alam nila na may konsiderasyon sa kanilang kalagayan, pero at the end of the day, ang nais talaga nila, makatulong at maging productive (Many of those I talked with have the capabilities and want to be productive. They want to help. They know there are considerations because of their conditions, but at the end of the day, they just want to help and become productive),” Aquino said.
Running on the platform of free education and guaranteed employment, the ex-senator also emphasized the need to provide adequate skills training to PWDs.
This, he added, will help them meet the requirements of various industries and secure employment.
Assistance, such as access to capital, mentorship programs, and market opportunities, should also be given to PWDs who want to start their own businesses.
“Trabaho, pagnenegosyo, at skills training. Iyan ang puwede naging gawing focus sa mga kapatid nating PWDs (Jobs, businesses, and skills training. Those are what we should focus on for our PWDs),” Aquino said.
House-to-house campaign
Meanwhile, the former official is still hard at work wooing voters that even his wife, Timi, did a similar house-to-house campaigning while Aquino was in Mandaluyong City on Saturday, March 1.
Through his house-to-house campaigning, Aquino said he wants to reach out to the people to inform them about his plans and programs, especially in strengthening the Free College Law and ensuring there are adequate jobs for Filipinos.
“Kailangan iyong libreng pabaon mapondohan din para iyong pang-araw-araw na gastos ng mga bata, mabigyan din ng tulong. Siyempre ang magandang i-partner diyan, hindi lang libreng edukasyon, kundi siguradong trabaho (The free allowance should also be funded for the everyday needs of the students. Of course, a good partner for free education is guaranteed jobs),” Aquino explained.
He noted how the monthly allowance will help in the students’ food, transportation, and internet needs.
The former senator was joined by actor Alex Medina and influencers Zion Aguirre, Adrian Araneta, and Samantha Gabronimo.
Last weekend, Timi and actress Bea Binene conducted a market run at Carbon Public Market and a house-to-house campaign in Cebu City. They joined supporters and volunteers in distributing posters, stickers, and flyers to residents of Barangay Pasil.