Persons With Disabilities (PWD) continue to face challenges in accessing economic and social opportunities that able-bodied individuals may have been taking for granted.
In the 2025 Trend Report of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Research and Development Platforms Programme, PWDs face significant challenges in employment, including limited access to education and skills training, inaccessible infrastructure, restricted job opportunities, and even social stigma. Compared to their peers, PWDs have lower employment rates and limited career opportunities.
In a time when governments push inclusivity in their policies and programs, how well do these interventions actually benefit parts of the community who are visible—but are often overlooked?
In June 2026, the United Nations Public Service Awards recognized Carmona City for “delivering inclusive and equitable services” as part of its Holistic Framework for Disability-Inclusive Governance. Specifically, the UN gave its seal of approval to the Carmona KALINGYAKAP Integrated Shelter as the city’s community based program that promotes the inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities by combining education, rehabilitation, community-based services, livelihood support and inclusive housing, and promoting the quality of life and social participation of PWDs.
It takes a village
PWDs are at the receiving end of negative attitude from their communities and even their own families. Low-income families do not invest in the education of children with disabilities, which lead to limited opportunities for decent employment. With their deeply superstitious beliefs and folk traditions, the presence of a disabled family member is considered a curse. In extreme cases, these PWDs experience stigma and even abandonment from their family.
These extreme cases of neglect led the city government to come up with the idea of creating a home for PWDs where they can receive education and livelihood training.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Mayor Dahlia Loyola noted that creating an inclusive environment where initiatives such as the KALINGYAKAP Integrated Shelter can flourish requires the support from all parts of the community.
“We started the program for Persons With Disabilities in 2022. Nagsimula kami as part of our Alternative Learning System, then through the years na-polish namin ‘yan hanggang sa kami ay nagkaroon ng Center-Based which is located sa Carmona Elementary School.”
From Carmona Elementary School, the center-based approach for education and rehabilitation for PWDs expanded to nine (9) local elementary schools which prompted the city government to build a centralized facility catering for PWDs including those who have been abandoned by their families.
“Nakita namin na there is a need for a shelter dahil mayroon kaming nakitang tatlong [PWD] na inabandona ng kanilang first kin. Kaya ang sabi namin, kailangan na natin ng shelter.”
Over the years, the city government worked with philanthropist Tomas Ang who offered his support in building a facility where PWDs can receive care and opportunities—a metaphorical crutch they can use until they become skilled enough for business and work.
