Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of party-list Bicol Saro has proposed a measure that would establish government-run local centers to assist senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in finding jobs and accessing training opportunities to enhance their skills.
The Congress leader said his proposal embodied in House Bill (HB) 10630 will help qualified PWDs and seniors in overcoming obstacles they usually encounter in finding employment, such as lack of assistance in accessing suitable job openings, biases against them related to physical abilities and age, and inadequate training.
Under HB 10630, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mandated to establish, operate, and maintain job facilitation offices for PWDs and seniors, to be known as Local Centers for Inclusive Employment (LCIEs) upon the request of the local government units (LGUs) in capital towns, key cities, and other strategic areas.
“We are all aware that despite policies promoting equal employment opportunities for qualified seniors and PWDs, they still find it difficult to find good and decent jobs. Discrimination against them still persists, and on top of that, they do not know which government office to go to so that they can be aided in the process of finding jobs,” Yamsuan said.
“Our legislative proposal aims to fill this inadequacy by providing targeted support and resources to help qualified individuals from these vulnerable sectors find and retain gainful employment,” he added.
The lawmaker said his proposed measure was the result of the consultations he conducted with seniors and PWDs in his home city of Parañaque, where many have complained about the lack of government assistance in helping them find jobs that match their qualifications and skills.
