The Quezon City Council has passed a resolution encouraging the city government to implement Republic Act No. 10524 that expands government positions reserved for persons with disabilities.
City Resolution 7380-2018, introduced by Councilor Lena Marie Juico, complies with RA 10524 that requires at least one percent of all regular and non-regular positions in all government agencies, offices, or corporations to be filled with PWD workers.
The law also encourages private companies with over 100 employees to reserve at least one percent of all work positions for PWDs.
The Quezon City government has more than 100 PWD employees.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday vowed to partner with Hair Aid Australia, a charity organization, to train the city’s rehabilitation program graduates in hairdressing and haircutting as part of a livelihood training program.
“I met with Hair Aid Australia and they were the ones who said they wanted their beneficiaries to be the surrenderers, the reformists to help them make sure that their new, clean lifestyle is sustainable,” she said.
Hair Aid volunteers will also be teaching tool-sharpening and manicure-pedicure skills to the beneficiaries.
“These new skills will empower our citizens especially those who have graduated from our community-based rehab program since they will be given a new chance to earn for themselves and for their family,” the vice mayor said.
The beneficiaries of the training are graduates of the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council’s community-based rehabilitation and treatment program for surrendering drug users.
As the city anti-drug council’s chairperson, Belmonte oversees the city government’s anti-drug campaign in partnership with the local police, barangays, Church and the private sector.
QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office staff Jeffrey Alipio lauded the measure, saying city hall has helped prove the PWDs can be as productive as any able-bodied worker.
The Philippine government as a state-party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by PWDs and ensure they experience full equality under laws.
Republic Act no. 10524 was signed into law, amending Republic Act No. 7277, also known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, an act expanding employment positions reserved for PWDs.
“Republic Act no. 7277 has been adopted to ensure rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Toward this end, the State endeavors to develop their skills and potentials to enable them to compete favorably for available opportunities,” the resolution reads.