PWDs’ livelihood affected

by COVID-19 pandemic

By Myra Cel L. Espinosa

Persons with Disability (PWD) in region 9 are struggling to access basic essentials, social services and many have lost their source of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a representative from the PWD sector here shared.

Teddy Kahil, President of Regional Federation of PWDs, confirmed that most of the concerns received from the PWD sector during the pandemic, specifically in the duration of community quarantine, is the loss of source of income and livelihood.

Since most of the blind community are in the massage industry, they have lost their jobs and source of income because the industry is also greatly affected with the pandemic. Kahil appealed to the government and to private sectors to also provide assistance.

“Everyone is affected with the pandemic but unlike the other people with no disability, our sector is struggling in accessing the immediate assistance and services of the government,” he said, highlighting that most of them have problems on mobility and accessibility to receive assistance from the government.

Kahil also suggested providing additional skills training for the PWDs, however, that would also take time and they have limited resources due to the community quarantine. Moreover, the federation is continuously extending assistance to the PWDs by acting as a referral unit to help PWDs in need access their needs and services during the quarantine period.

Meanwhile, Kahil appeals to the public to stop discriminating the PWDs as he has observed that there still exists such discrimination.

“We still receive reports on discrimination to some PWDs, especially in the employment sector,” Kahil emphasized.

Furthermore, since livelihood and employment is needed by the sector, they are also requesting the employers to put more premium in the PWDs’ skills and qualifications during job hiring. (RVC/MLE/ PIA9-Zamboanga City)