Career, Livelihood, and Skills Development Expo for specially-abled persons was held recently in Batangas. Photo courtesy of Batangas Capitol PIO
Batangas holds 1st job expo for PWDs
BATANGAS – As part of solidarity with the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the “Career, Livelihood and Skills Development Expo” for specially-abled Batangueños was held for the first time recently at the Provincial Auditorium of the provincial capitol in Batangas City.
The program is organized by the Batangas Medical Center (BatMC) Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, in partnership with the Batangas Provincial Government, through the Provincial Assistance for Community Development Office (PACD).
The program’s goal is to provide equal opportunities for work and livelihood to the differently-abled countrymen to help them raise their standard of living, especially amid the pandemic they are facing.
Among the companies invited are Batangas Medical Center, Batangas Health Care Specialist, CDO FoodSphere, Collins Aerospace, and First Gen.
Some of the jobs they offer are data analysts, customer service, warehouse technicians, programmers, treasury staff, and others.
In addition, some government offices such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Enterprise Development Office (PCLEDO), Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO), and Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) also joined the job expo.
According to Dr. Emily N. Cabungcal, head of the BatMC Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, this is just the beginning of helping specially-abled individuals, hoping that in the future, more people will be able to receive employment assistance.
Meanwhile, Batangas Governor DoDo I. Mandanas announced the plan to make the activity regular every time the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week falls in July.
According to PACD Department Head Fredesvinda R. Mendoza, the governor wants to expand the program, invite more companies and organizations, and ensure the provincial government’s assistance to PWD (persons with disabilities) citizens.
Edwin de Villa, PDAO consultant, and the guest speaker said that having a job is a way to give “dignity” to specially-abled citizens.
“It is also very important that people with disabilities have their own dignity. If you have your own job, you have your own income, you don’t rely on other people, you don’t rely on mercy, you don’t rely on alms, you have dignity, choice, you also have options, choose what you want,” said de Villa.
He added, “In people’s lives, whether they have a disability or not, options are important. The availability of options can measure the standard of living or quality of life. If you have many choices, the quality of life is better. Having a job will teach, bring and improve the quality of life of a disabled person.”
