by Joy Gabrido July 27, 2019 PIA 4A interns assist a PWD named Rebcon Beluso in filling out application form for the job fair. (Joy Gabri...
July 27, 2019
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| PIA 4A interns assist a PWD named Rebcon Beluso in filling out application form for the job fair. (Joy Gabrido/PIA 4A) |
CITY OF CALAMBA, Laguna – In line with the 41st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR), the city government of Calamba held a mini caravan for persons with disabilities (PWDs) on July 17.
This year’s theme, “Lokal na Pamahalaan: Kabalikat sa Pagtupad ng Karapatan ng mga Taong May Kapansanan” emphasizes the vital role of local government units (LGUs) in crafting and implementing programs dedicated to PWDs in their respective area.
Local government programs are geared toward improving the living conditions of the PWDs in the areas of health, employment, education and other basic necessities that will enable them to live comfortably and independently.
The mini caravan offered free services to differently-abled clients including medical, dental and eye check-up, cooperative and livelihood training, legal consultation, civil registry, free manicure and haircut, and a job fair focused on providing work opportunities.
One of the beneficiaries, Philip E. Sembreno, received a new wheelchair.
He said that aside from claiming his wheelchair, he attended the caravan to also avail of the free services such as the physical check-up. Sembreno hopes to get a job on massage therapy or any computer-related employment.
“Okay po yung event marami siyang matutulungan kagaya ko na nabigyan ng wheelchair at saka po iyong may mga sakit na mag papa-checkup ay may libreng gamot. Ang kailangan ko lang po ay gamot at trabaho para hindi maging pabigat at hindi umasa sa magulang.”
(The event was fine as it helped a lot of people like me who received wheelchairs and those who are sick were given checkups and free medicines. What I need are medicines and a job so that I would not be a burden and rely on my parents.)
He said the job fair gave him a spark of hope to finally be able to earn his own money if hired and help his parents at last.
Rebcon Beluso who lost one of his legs in 2000 also shared the same gratitude. He is an elementary level and did not learn how to write.
“Baka maging tulay ito kasi pangarap ko din ang makapag-trabaho kahit na ganito ako, sana matupad para sakin na mamuhay ng normal at makapag hanap buhay, dahil hindi naman kami tatanggapin sa iba dahil sa kalagayan namin.”
(This might serve as an opportunity since I always dream of working even if I'm like this. I want to live a normal life and have a job because we aren't usually accepted for a job because of our situation.)
The two student interns of Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon who interviewed him assisted him in filling out the necessary information sheet which he needed to submit to be able to apply for work.
It was learned that despite of the availability of job opportunities for PWDs, one of the problems encounterd, is the need for them to be equipped with necessary education and skills to meet the qualifications that companies set.
In an interview with Luisito Apacionado, Calamba City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Section Head, he said that they have already recognized this gap facing PWDs and that they are addressing it.
“We have already coordinated with DepEd and asked that we should be able to encourage our PWDs to finish high school for them to fit in the working conditions of the companies who are willing to accommodate them,” he explained.
In addition, the city’s PDAO offers skills trainings that PWDs may avail for free.
To promote PWDs' best interest, the city government has recently crafted its very first ordinance granting incentives to companies that shall employ PWDs.
PDAO is expecting for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to be soon released to the companies based in the city that will serve as their guide in supporting said ordinance. (Helen Copian/RJCG)
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