Subic Bay Freeport – Some 50 persons with disabilities (PWDs) experienced work immersion in various offices of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other business establishments here and in Olongapo City.
The initiative came after the SBMA recently forged a partnership with the local government of Olongapo City to facilitate the work immersion of PWDs at the Freeport zone.
The SBMA’s Labor department, as well as the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of Olongapo City, the Work Immersion Program for PWDs in Government and the Private Business Establishments sought to provide the PWDs a ten-day actual work experience.
According to Labor department manager Melvin Varias, there were at least 50 PWDs who were given the chance to work, with 34 of them deployed to companies inside the freeport Zone.
“Of the 34 PWDs, ten worked at the Grand United Property and Service Management, Inc.; eight were sent to the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel and Event Center; four worked at the Eddie and Julie G Food Corp. at the Jollibee Main Gate; three worked at the SBMA’s Financial Planning and Budget Department; three went to the SBMA’s Accounting Department; five worked here at the SBMA Labor Department; and one was sent to the SBMA Office Services Department,” Varias said.
Meanwhile, PDAO Head Rizalino Jose bared that the proposal for the Work Immersion Program was conceptualized in March of this year. He said that during this program, PWDs will be given opportunities to value, experience and prove their worth as equals with the typical workforce.
“Our target PWD beneficiaries range from mild to manageable disabilities,” he added.
SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño lauded the work immersion program for PWDs, citing that the Subic Bay Freeport was the perfect venue for PWDs to experience equality in the workplace.
He said the PWDs’ daily minimum wage salary rate of P580 will be shouldered by the Office of City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., adding that the first batch of internship was held last May 27 to June 7, while the second batch was slated June 10-21, 2024.
“Our Labor department is working hard to provide a harmonious working environment inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. By providing PWDs with the opportunity to work at companies here, it only proves that the SBMA does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace,” he added.
The Subic Bay Freeport zone has a workforce of 159,762 as of April 2024. This will eventually increase as new investors continue to establish their businesses here.
“These new companies investing in Subic Freeport would mean a possible expansion of the workplace immersion program for PWDs, giving more opportunities for them to prove that they can be productive citizens of the country,” Aliño said.