Bacolod councilor pushes strict PWD hiring compliance

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — A Bacolod City councilor is calling for the strict enforcement of the mandated employment quota for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in private companies.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, a lawyer, has requested the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bacolod Permits and Licensing Division, through the Office of Mayor Greg Gasataya, to implement Republic Act No. 10524 more strictly.

The law mandates that private companies with more than 100 employees must allocate at least 1 percent of their workforce to qualified PWDs.

Distrito said over the weekend that he passed a resolution to enforce this provision, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

As chair of the SP Committee on PWD Affairs, Distrito said the resolution highlights Bacolod’s commitment to inclusive growth and equal opportunity.

“This resolution is a call to action for both government and private companies to fulfill their duty to ensure that PWDs are given meaningful employment opportunities,” Distrito said.

He added, “Our brothers and sisters with disabilities are fully capable of contributing to productivity and progress, and all they need is a fair chance.”

Distrito explained that Republic Act No. 10524 amended the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability to strengthen the obligation of both public and private sectors to reserve positions for PWDs.

Despite the law’s existence, he pointed out that compliance remains low across the country, leaving many qualified PWDs underemployed or excluded from decent jobs.

Under the resolution, the Bacolod Permits and Licensing Division must integrate compliance checks into the business permit process to ensure companies meet the quota before being allowed to operate.

“This is not just about enforcing a law, but rather it is about upholding dignity, fostering self-reliance, and ensuring that PWDs are part of Bacolod’s progress,” Distrito said.

Copies of the resolution will be forwarded to DOLE, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Bacolod City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and the Permits and Licensing Division for proper action.

The measure supports Bacolod’s continued efforts to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which the Philippines ratified, affirming the right of PWDs to work equally within an inclusive labor market.