Just because some people are born with physical disabilities does not mean they cannot be productive members of society, Partido Reporma standard-bearer Ping Lacson and running mate Senate President Tito Sotto said as they vowed to institute a more inclusive government for them.
Under a Lacson-Sotto administration, persons with disabilities (PWD) would have equal opportunities in terms of employment that correspond to their skill sets. The government will even help them land these jobs through the National ID system and the digitalization of bureaucratic processes.
“Ang nangyayari kasi may diskriminasyon sa pagtanggap sa trabaho. Nag-a-apply [tapos] ‘pag nakitang PWD ay, ibig sabihin, iba na ‘yung tingin,” Lacson told some 200 members of a tricycle operators’ and drivers’ association (TODA) in Candelaria, Quezon province last Tuesday.
[Because what happens is that sometimes they experience discrimination in the workplace. They are applying for jobs but once (employers) found out they are PWD, you know, the treatment is no longer the same.]
The Lacson-Sotto tandem’s program for the PWD was brought up during their dialogue with the TODA after a participant expressed concern over the difficult working conditions experienced by his fellow tricycle driver who has a physical disability.
According to Lacson, part of his plans under his digitalization platform is to create a skills-matching system for members of the PWD sector who are looking for job opportunities. Meanwhile, the National ID is there to present their proof of identity, not their disability.
“Ano bang skill nitong PWD man o tricycle driver man o pangkaraniwan man o normal man na kumpleto ‘yung pangangatawan? Ang titingnan lang ano ‘yung kanyang kakayahan doon sa trabahong ina-apply-an niya,” Lacson said.
[What is the skill (set) of this PWD whether he’s a tricycle driver or even an ordinary citizen without a disability? What will be considered are only the skills he has for the kind of job he is applying for.]
Sotto, for his part, mentioned that he and Lacson would always champion the cause of the PWD sector. In fact, they even had a senatorial candidate before named Paolo ‘Powee’ Capino who would have represented the PWD sector in the upper chamber.
Capino initially filed his candidacy for senator under Partido Reporma but ultimately decided to withdraw it and just help in the national campaigns of Lacson and Sotto. Among his advocacies is to promote the welfare of and make life much better for people with disabilities like himself.
“Makakaasa po kayo na siya (Capino) ay isa sa mga kasama namin. Kaya tiyak na ‘yang issue ng PWD hindi lamang sa isang probinsya kundi sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas ay siguradong tiyak na maa-address po namin. Salamat po,” Sotto said.
[You may rest assured that he (Capino) is one with us. So, the issues confronting the PWD sector not only in one province but the entire Philippines will be addressed (in our administration). Thank you.
