“May 1% Ka Ba?”: IDPWD celebrated with an 'Empowered Summit’ at SMX Aura

 

Disability-inclusion experts Randy Calseña, Carmen Zubiaga, Linartes Viloria, Atty. Judith Dongallo-Chicano, and  Chairmaine Adonis discussed current trends and actual experiences to explore how workplaces can achieve the 1% inclusion mandate.

By Leony R. Garcia |

 In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) on December 3, 2024, Project Inclusion Network (PIN) and leading financial services firm JPMorganChase hosted a year-end gathering called, 'Empowered Summit: Making a Difference with 1%.'

Annually observed on December 3, the IDPWD aims to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for their inclusion in all aspects of society and development (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs).

The celebration showcased meaningful dialogues and success stories of persons with disabilities in the workplace. The afternoon panel discussion focused on Republic Act No. 10524, the law mandating government agencies to reserve 1% of their workforce for persons with disabilities, while encouraging private corporations to follow suit. This session featured disability-inclusion experts from various sectors, including Randy Calseña from the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Carmen Zubiaga of the Women with Disabilities Leap to Women Social and Economic Program (WOWLEAP Inc.), Linartes Viloria of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Atty. Judith Dongallo-Chicano, Assistant Commissioner, Civil Service Commission (CSC), and  Chairmaine Adonis, Vice President for Human Resources, SM Hotels and Convention Center Corp., to explore how workplaces can achieve the 1% inclusion mandate.

Manish Shah, Managing Director of JPMorgan Chase, and the Disability-Inclusion Champions of JPMorgan Chase, lead the way on disability-inclusion initiatives together with Project Inclusion Network and the Philippine Business and Disability Network.

Multi-sectoral consultation and dialogues are priority for the Project Inclusion Network as it paves the way for collaboration and policy-driven advocacies together with JPMorgan Chase.

After the panel discussion, reactors Bronson Escalderon, Deaf Career Coach, Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), Carla Francesca Nobleza, Co-Convenor, Kasali Tayo, and Ramil Dela Cruz, Vice President for Human Resources, JPMorganChase, shared in their insights. Dela Cruz stressed the importance of leaders driving inclusivity in the workplace. He also encouraged self-assessment of gaps in disability inclusion and making improvements.

As a culmination of the event, a thanksgiving dinner is shared by PIN partners to celebrate a great year for the advocacy. Alongside this, PIN’s media campaign entitled “May 1% Ka Ba?”, sponsored by the Austrian Embassy, is officially launched. This campaign seeks to raise awareness about the 1% inclusion mandate by showcasing the stories of self-advocates currently working in different organizations that practice inclusive employment.

Project Inclusion Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to realizing the potential of Persons with Disability by empowering individuals and fostering disability inclusion across society. Through its access-to-work opportunities model, PIN prepares jobseekers with skills training and career readiness assessments while equipping employers with disability inclusion strategies, creating inclusive workplaces

To know more about the advocacy, contact Cece Hicaro through cecilia.hicaro@projectinclusion.ph or 0923-469-8700.