PCES Joins Career Connect Employers Forum to Promote Inclusive Employment for Persons with Disability in Cebu City
In line with the celebration of the 47th National Disability Rights (NDR) Week, Philippine Central Engagement Services (PCES) participated in the Career Connect – Employers Forum held on July 17, 2025, at Tupas Hall, Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City.
The event was hosted by Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI) in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Public Employment and Service Office (PESO), and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO). It was supported by the Nippon Foundation. The forum carried the theme “Innovation for Inclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Together.”
Career Connect Employers Forum: Building Inclusive Communities for PWDs
During the forum, various companies and organizations gathered to discuss the employment laws for persons with disabilities. In addition, they conducted workshops on fostering inclusive workplaces. Moreover, the event became a platform where employers and advocates shared best practices. It also highlighted practical strategies to strengthen inclusivity at work.
What is PWD Workplace Inclusivity?
PWD workplace inclusivity is establishing an accessible workplace wherein persons with disabilities are given new opportunities and being valued. It secures equal opportunities so that they can still obtain employment. Creating an inclusive workplace is not hard. Instead, it is the new trend. More companies are offering it, like in France, wherein a large number of companies transitioned from onsite to work-from-home set-ups.
According to Ms. Kriza Gonzales, a visually impaired employee who was given a chance to work at one of the noticeable BPO companies, Concentrix, workplace inclusivity has made a difference. For instance, when she was asked about the importance of having an inclusive workplace during the Career Connect Employers Forum, she shared her experience at Accenture. The management placed her work area next to the comfort room. She is treated well despite her disabilities. Additionally, her co-workers help her daily and get used to having a co-worker like her.
Another thing is that various companies hiring persons with disabilities have a work-from-home set-up. As a result, employees feel more comfortable and convenient. This is important in terms of travelling, which is the main problem of many persons with disabilities.
PCES Advocacy for PWD Empowerment and Employment
Moving on, PCES representative Jazmine Danielle Gundran, Marketing Specialist, delivered a brief company presentation. She also joined a panel discussion on employer insights into hiring individuals with visual impairments. She was joined by colleagues Ana Grace Cabradilla, Communication Associate, and John Ronald Robillos, Data Protection Officer.
Ms. Gundran also highlighted the PCES initiative in building an inclusive workplace through the PWD-E platform. This is a job-matching platform intended solely for persons with disabilities who are seeking employment. It also helps companies who need to fill out their vacant job positions. Significantly, this initiative is aligned with PCES’s partnership with Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI) in advocating for equal employment opportunities for PWDs.
How Does PWD-E Work?
PWD-E works simply by allowing job seekers to create an account on the system. They list all the necessary information such as educational background, skills, preferred job location, and position. Similarly, employers register on the system. They create an account and post their job vacancies for free. Consequently, through PWD-E, the PWD hiring process and recruitment in the Philippines become more convenient and inclusive. This also opens more opportunities for them. more opportunities for them.
Why is PWD Inclusive Employment Important?
Finally, this initiative highlighted the collective efforts to advance inclusive hiring practices. It also fostered equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. In doing so, it contributes to increasing the overall PWD employment rate in the Philippines.