The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has institutionalized a groundbreaking policy to champion inclusive employment, mandating that a minimum of one percent of all regular and non-regular positions across its Central and Field Offices be reserved for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The new measure, formalized under Administrative Order (AO) No. 11, was signed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on November 10 and is set to be formally launched in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Gatchalian lauded the policy, calling it “the most progressive inclusion plan in the employment of persons with disabilities.” He emphasized that the order aims to challenge traditional attitudes toward hiring PWDs by shifting the focus to an individual’s abilities, not their disability.
“We mean what we do. This is why we institutionalized the hiring of persons with disabilities and created a progressive and comprehensive policy,” Gatchalian said in a statement. “We look at their abilities… We include them in the ring and even carve out plantilla or permanent positions for them.”
Going a step further, the DSWD Secretary announced his plan to lobby President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to adopt the provisions of AO 11 across all government departments, effectively transforming the measure into a national employment policy.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao highlighted that the order aligns with national and international laws on equal employment and directly addresses long-standing gaps in PWD hiring.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10524, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, AO 11 also outlines mechanisms for continuous coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the creation of internship programs, the establishment of internal support groups, and the strengthening of inclusive occupational safety protocols across all facilities.
“This is about recognizing the capacity and dignity of people with disabilities and ensuring that government workplaces are safe, accessible, and supportive,” Dumlao stated, expressing optimism that the policy will grant more PWDs the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.