By Zaldy De Layola | Philippine News Agency
A partylist lawmaker on Tuesday expressed hope for the urgent passage of House Bill (HB) 8941 seeking to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWD) in the workforce.
HB 8941, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, is anchored on a constitutional provision mandating the state to protect the rights of all citizens, especially the marginalized sectors, which include the PWD.
“Persons with disabilities, despite their unique challenges, possess immense potential and talent. Yet, they often face barriers to employment and social participation,” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said in a statement.
“We must acknowledge that more needs to be done to create a truly inclusive society.”
Tulfo’s co-authors are fellow ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Lone District of Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
They said the bill seeks to double the current one-percent reservation of government positions for individuals with disabilities and to require larger private corporations to reserve 2 percent of their positions.
The bill also proposes tax incentives to private corporations that hire PWDs as regular employees, encouraging greater participation from the private sector.