Protecting disabled people and their rights to work in the Philippines

Upholding and protecting the rights of disabled people is one of the goals of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This is the call that Rex Gatchalian, Secretary at the DSWD, made during the opening of the three-day Philippine Disability Convention and Expo (ConEx) at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.

“Each of us carries flaws which make us unique from others,” shared Gatchalian. “These imperfections signify our humanness. Regardless of having cognitive or physical disability, we—as human beings—all have inherent rights and dignity that should be protected and upheld at all times.”

Barriers and obstacles that obstruct disabled people and their ability to live their lives should be dismantled, Gatchalian emphasised.

“We need to work together through a whole-of-nation approach to create lasting transformative solutions that promote inclusivity,” he added.

Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Mayor of Pasay City, commended the conduct of the event, calling it “a step towards our collective thrust towards inclusivity, opportunity, and equality.”

ConEx was organised by the DSWD with its attached agency, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and partner organisation, the Project Inclusion Network (PIN). It is a three-day event that features “one-stop shops” run by and for disabled people to showcase products, services and enterprises aimed at improving their quality of life.

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ConEx will also provide capacity building and learning sessions for Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAOs) in local government units (LGUs) to better accommodate the needs of disabled people in their respective localities, said Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs and Attached and Supervised Agencies (IAASA).

The event will serve as a pre-event to jumpstart the festivities for the National Disability Rights Week, with the theme “Promoting Inclusion: Celebrating Abilities and Advocating Access,” reported the Philippine News Agency.