By Junex Doronio
MANILA — House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has called for the subpoena of officials from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) after they failed to attend a Congressional hearing on employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) without providing any explanation.
During a hearing of the House Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities, led by Agusan del Sur Rep. Alfelito Bascug, on House Bill No. 8941—An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Qualified PWDs, Amending Republic Act 7277 (the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons)—Tulfo pointed out the absence of any CSC representative, prompting him to raise the issue.
“I don’t see any CSC officials here. They didn’t even send an explanation for their absence,” said Tulfo, one of the principal authors of the bill, along with ACT-CIS party-list Reps. Edvic Yap, Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
“I think it’s time we subpoenaed this agency,” he added.
Tulfo also criticized government agencies for failing to fulfill their mandates to provide positions or jobs for PWDs.
“I want to ask them (CSC): Why haven’t they met the details we’ve outlined for PWDs? The government should set an example,” Tulfo said. “If we lead by example, others—especially the private sector—will follow.”
“How can we ask the private sector to hire PWDs if the government itself isn’t doing it?” he added.
In his sponsorship speech, Tulfo highlighted the importance of the proposed legislation for PWDs.
“These measures aim to increase employment opportunities, empower individuals with disabilities, promote social inclusion, and incentivize employers to hire more qualified individuals with disabilities,” he said.
“I urge my colleagues to support this bill. By passing it, we’ll not only fulfill our constitutional duty to protect the rights of all citizens but also demonstrate our commitment to building a more just and equitable society,” Tulfo concluded.
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