BALANGA CITY — Here is good news for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Bataan. The sangguniang panlalawigan announced on Monday that its very first ordinance for 2023 addressed the employment concerns of their sector.
Vice Gov. Ma. Cristina Garcia, SP presiding officer, said that they passed Provincial Ordinance No. 1, Series of 2023, “Bataan Senior Citizens and PWDs Workforce Integration Ordinance” aimed at benefitting them and as well as improving the lives of their families and community.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III approved on Jan. 23 the ordinance authored and sponsored by SP members Jomar Gaza and Noel Joseph Valdecanas, unanimously passed by members of the provincial board in the three districts of Bataan.
The vice governor said that through the ordinance it shall be unlawful for private business establishments and government agencies to refuse employment to senior citizens and PWDs who possess mental and/or physical fitness necessary for the nature of work being applied for, solely on account of their being a senior citizen or PWD.
She explained that the provincial government will provide full support for the improvement of the total well-being of senior citizens and PWDs and their full participation in society.
“It is the objective of this ordinance to maximize and strengthen their job opportunities by penalizing discrimination, implementing capacity-building programs and providing incentives for compliant employers,” she said.
The provincial government of Bataan through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and other relevant offices will prepare trainings and other capacity-building programs and activities for senior citizens and PWDs.
Garcia said that the programs aim to enhance and strengthen their capacity and qualifications for employment. PESO, she said, will seek the assistance of relevant national government agencies for the purpose and will likewise explore tie-ups and collaborations with non-governmental organizations and private companies.
The provincial government will formally recognize complying private and government offices and grant necessary incentives as defined by a group composed of the senior citizens affairs office, social welfare and development office, PESO and provincial legal office.
SP secretary lawyer Mark Lorenz Quezon said that the new provincial ordinance is in support to existing laws – RA 7432 (Senior Citizens Act), RA 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010), RA 10911 (Anti-age Discrimination in Employment Act), RA 7277 (Magna Carta for PWDs), and RA 10754 (Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs).
