Incentives for companies employing PWDs pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon is pushing for the integration of resident persons with disability (PWDs) in the workforce of business entities within the city.

The proposed ordinance also seeks to provide incentives to private business entities/employers employing PWDs. The proposal is now under review by the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling.

“This social legislation intends to encourage employment of persons with disabilities who are able, capable, qualified, and willing to work, by providing incentives to private establishments/employers who will hire them, as well as training programs and skills development that will equip them in the workforce,” read the proposed ordinance.

Section 4 provides that it shall be unlawful for business entities/employers to refuse employment to a PWD, having mental and/or physical fitness in accordance with the nature of work and have undergone the necessary training program suitable to the position being applied for.

In addition to other requirements for employment, disabled persons shall present their PWD ID, barangay clearance, and a medical certificate/recommendation that he/she is mentally and/or physically fit for the position applied for.

PWDs can be employed as consultants, librarian, school guardian, call center agents, housekeeper, ticketing personnel, museum curator, bookkeeper, among others.

The city shall provide an incentive in the form of deduction on business tax on business entities/employers employing PWDs. Awards and plaques of recognition shall also be given to business entities/employers fully complying with the ordinance.

“In computing the business entity's annual business tax due, it shall be allowed as deduction from its gross sales or receipt, equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages for personal services actually rendered by PWDs,”  Section 7 reads.

“In case of newly established business, the fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages for personal services actually rendered by PWDs shall be allowed as deduction from its capital investment or paid up capital, but in no case shall be less than One Hundred Pesos (Php100.00),” it added.

The deduction from the gross sales or receipt provided under the ordinance shall be limited to a business entity possessing the qualifications which are it must be employing at least one PWD; the disabled person employed by the business entity must be currently registered in the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO); the salary or wage of the disabled person must be fairly equal to the job rendered, which must not be lower than the minimum wage; and it must submit documents proving the amount of the salary, wage, or compensation paid to the disabled person to be determined by the City Treasurer's Office (CTO).

After two years from the implementation of the tax deduction incentive of the measure under Section 7, the CTO shall assess, review, and inform the City Council regarding the enforcement and consequence of this provision.

The PDAO and the CTO shall be tasked primarily to implement the provisions of the ordinance.

Within 60 days from the effectivity of the ordinance, the CTO shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to efficiently carry out the tax deduction under Section 7.

In consultation with pertinent stakeholders, the PDAO shall also craft an implementing rules and regulations that will identify the conditions or requisites wherein a PWD is allowed to work. — FPL (FREEMAN)