ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo reprimanded the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) for saying they do not agree with the proposed law that would oblige private companies to hire persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Under the proposed House Bill 8941, which was filed by Tulfo and colleagues Reps. Edvic Yap, Jocelyn Tulfo, Eric Yap, Ralph Tulfo and Wilbert Lee, 2 percent of a company with 1,000 employees should be PWDs; while 1 percent of workers for small businesses with 100 workers or less should be PWDs.
Tulfo also did not let slide ECOP’s objection to the proposed law.
“Of course you hire a PWD who can handle the job. For example, people with walking disabilities can work at the front desk or office or IT people,” Tulfo said.
“Why would you hire a PWD who can’t do it? It’s your fault if you hire a PWD who can’t do the job because of his disability,” the House deputy majority leader said.
The lawmaker became more irritated when he learned from Rep. Alfelito Bascug, chairman of the special committee on disabilities, that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) failed to attend the hearing despite being given an invitation.
“They did not give any reason why they could not attend our hearing today,” Bascug said.
Tulfo said the CSC has no respect to the committee and vowed to subpoena them.
Bascug agreed with the suggestion of the other members of the committee, and would issue a subpoena on CSC officials.
