TO: ALL HEADS OF CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES, DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS AND AGENCIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT; LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS; GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS; AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

SUBJECT: Encouraging Government Agencies to hire PWDs pursuant to Republic Act No. 7277, as amended

Section 5 of RA 7277 or An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation, Self-Development and Self-Reliance of Disabled Person and their Integration into the Mainstream of Society and for Other Purposes as amended by Section 1 of RA 10524 (An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability) provides that:

“Section 5. Equal Opportunity for Employment – No person with disability shall be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment. A qualified employee with disability shall be subjected to the same terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, incentives or allowances as a qualified abled bodied person.

At least one percent (1%) of all positions in all government agencies, offices or corporations shall be reserved for persons with disability: Provided, That private corporations with more than one hundred (100 employees are encouraged to reserve at least one percent (1) of all positions for persons with disability.”

The welfare of PWDs, particularly in opportunities for employment, must be given utmost importance. The Commission calls on all heads of government agencies to help in implementing this provision of law by giving PWDs an equal access to work opportunities within their respective agencies. Thus all government agencies are earnestly encouraged to hire PWDs in their respective offices not only to observe the above-stated provision of the law but also to give PWDs the same opportunities as non-PWD.

FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, MD, Msc
Chairman