The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) said its 19 employees with disabilities were hired and retained based on their qualifications and performance, not because of their condition.

“They undergo the same performance management process, and the fact that their appointments are renewed means they are meeting the performance standards for their positions,” officer-in-charge Regional Director Enrique Gascon said Wednesday.

“Indeed, they are performing. They are part of the regular workforce carrying out the department’s mandate,” he added.

Gascon said the agency’s employees with disabilities include persons with physical and visual impairments, as well as a cancer patient.

The DSWD-CAR has about 1,400 regular, job order and contract-of-service employees across the region.

The employees with disabilities serve in various positions, including middle managers, information technology specialists, field workers and a driver.

He said all applicants are given equal employment opportunities regardless of disability, provided they meet the qualifications for the position.

Although treated like all other employees, personnel with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations when needed, including alternative work arrangements based on their requests and the nature of their work.

“We provide them alternative work arrangements if necessary, depending on their request and the nature of their work because when we hired them, we made sure they were qualified for the positions they applied for,” Gascon said. (PNA)