Mulanay: Finding ‘Paraiso’ Through Digital Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities

The town of Mulanay in Quezon province has come a long way from the underserved rural community portrayed in the 1996 award-winning film Mulanay: Sa Pusod ng Paraiso, directed by Gil Portes. While the movie depicted a village lacking in infrastructure and a community deeply rooted in tradition and reluctant to embrace modern medicine, present-day Mulanay is now a first-class municipality where diversity and inclusion thrive, opening opportunities for residents in challenging circumstances such as persons with disabilities.

These opportunities pave the way for programs that uplift Mulanay’s most vulnerable sectors, including a partnership that the local government, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) office, forged with ATRIEV, PLDT, and Smart to train residents with disabilities on the basics of entrepreneurship and the use of digital innovations to grow their businesses. This partnership aligns with the PLDT Group’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program.

 

“As a father to a child with autism, I understand the challenges that persons with disabilities face,” said Mulanay Mayor Aristotle Aguirre. “That is why we are working with like-minded organizations to provide them with digital skills and entrepreneurial opportunities, so they can start or grow their own businesses and thrive in today’s economy.”

 

Conducted by ATRIEV and also supported by NORFIL Foundation, more than 20 persons with disabilities and carers of persons with impairments attended the Digital Business Basics Training (DBBT). The eight-day workshop was divided into two modules. The first focused on starting a business, covering essential topics such as branding, connecting with target markets, fund sourcing, and pricing and costing strategies.

 

Sergio Macarang, 55, saw his clients dwindle after he got into a vehicular accident that limited his mobility. He was a construction foreman prior to the accident. He turned to selling medical masks and wipes to supplement his income. And now, he wants to grow his business.

 

“You need careful planning,” Macarang said. “You have to learn proper costing, so you don’t end up selling your products at a loss.”

 

Pricing was also the most important skill for 26-year-old Jerald Regencia, a reseller of beauty products born with physical impairments. “I was intimidated at first because I have forgotten my Math,” he recalled. “But I brushed up on my Math skills to ensure that I am earning from my business. You have to factor in all your expenses.”

The second module gave participants hands-on experience using digital tools and social media platforms to expand their reach, such as setting up Facebook and Tiktok accounts and creating content for their pages.

 

“I was even able to design a logo for my business using a mobile app,” Macarang added. “Through Facebook and other online platforms, I can now reach more people and potential customers. My business is no longer limited to foot traffic on our street — it has grown beyond our community.”

 

“Selling online has really made things easier for me,” Regencia shared. “Before, I had to personally visit my suki to show them new items or ask if they wanted to order again — which wasn’t easy because of my condition. Now, I can just promote my products online and connect with them through messaging apps.”

 

Through inclusive initiatives like this, the stories of persons with disabilities in Mulanay are moving toward brighter chapters. Equipped with digital skills and business know-how, their journeys are only just beginning.

 

“At PLDT and Smart, we believe that technology is a powerful equalizer,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement Team. “Through programs like IDEATe, we are opening doors for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the digital economy, giving them the tools and opportunities to improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.”

IDEATe activities are aligned with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to help the country achieve UNSDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and UNSDG 10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.

National Disability Rights Week: Globe hosts the Philippine Business and Disability Network Meeting

Globe recently became the first local company to host the Philippine Business and Disability Network’s (PBDN) 4th Networking Meeting, held in partnership with Project Inclusion Network. The event, attended by 36 companies, coincided with National Disability Rights Week and brought together changemakers from across sectors to challenge one central question: “What does equity look like when it’s built into the design of our systems, workplaces, and technologies?”

 

At the heart of the conversation was the belief that disability inclusion is not merely a moral obligation or a policy requirement, it’s a fundamental design challenge.

 

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz opened the event with an unwavering commitment to inclusion. “Inclusion is not an afterthought at Globe. We’re embedding it into our culture, our systems, and our platforms because we believe every talent is important and should be cared for.” He acknowledged that while the road ahead is long, Globe is committed to listening, taking action, and moving forward with partners who share the same vision.

 

Denise Haak, Globe AVP for Product Experience Strategy & Design shared her own experience building diverse teams, not just in Globe but also in her past workplaces. Haak shared stories of hiring individuals with visual, speech, and developmental disabilities to show how inclusive hiring leads to accessible design. Her message was clear, “When we design for difference, we create better solutions for everyone.”

 

“We can start practicing equity by reviewing our job descriptions for bias, offering interview accommodations, removing unnecessary time pressure from tests, and making sure our digital tools are easy to navigate for everyone,” Haak shared. “Inclusion doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. What it needs is thoughtfulness, and the courage to ask the right questions.”

 

Guided by its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Commitment, Globe is actively redesigning its web platforms to deliver an equitable online experience for its users. Among the company’s initiatives include incorporating accessibility personas for user-centered development, ensuring compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, leveraging on color contrast palette, and using clear and simple language.

 

Social innovator and Virtualahan founder Ryan Gersava drove home the urgency of these questions with his powerful personal story. Denied employment after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, Gersava turned exclusion into action by creating a digital skills training program that has since empowered hundreds of persons with disabilities to launch remote careers.

 

He reminded the audience that exclusion is rarely accidental, it is the result of design decisions made without lived experience in the discussion and creation process of policies and systems. “Real inclusion is not about pity or optics. It’s about co-creating systems with the people they’re meant to serve,” he said.

 

The event concluded with a hands-on workshop titled “Journeys & Junctions: Mapping Inclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle.” In small groups, the participants explored real-world scenarios through the lens of disability personas, identifying barriers across stages like hiring, onboarding, and performance review. Teams then co-created practical redesigns of policies, tech solutions, or process tweaks that could lead to more inclusive work experiences. The session encouraged collaboration, empathy, and real-time application of inclusive thinking.

 

Mr. Grant Javier, Executive Director of PBDN concluded the event with a call to action "Our progress hinges on cultivating a wider network of allies and champions. This extends beyond persons with disabilities themselves to encompass the very individuals with whom they work, fostering a truly inclusive ecosystem."

 

For Globe, hosting this event was more than a moment, it was a movement. And while no single company can do it alone, it was clear that with the right partnerships and the right questions, it’s possible to build a digital world that works for all.

‘All Included’: PLDT, Smart Launch AI Workshop to Empower People with Disabilities and Break Digital Barriers

 

Tech for inclusion just got smarter. PLDT and Smart are harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable more persons with disabilities to access digital innovations. The move expands the PLDT Group’s efforts to reduce inequality and narrow the digital divide.

 

“Technology is the great equalizer,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. Through AI, we’re creating a future where persons in challenging circumstances can participate in a digitally powered economy, and where ‘All are Included’.”

 

To mark the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the PLDT Group partnered with long-time ally ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired) to launch an AI for Accessibility training module tailored for persons with disabilities. ATRIEV is a pioneer in ICT-based solutions for persons with disabilities, those affected by chronic illness, as well as stakeholders working for and with persons with disabilities.

 

“Assistive technology can open doors for persons with disabilities. AI can boost independence among persons with disabilities in performing day-to-day activities. The digital innovation can also help improve communication between learners with disabilities and their teachers or carers,” said Carolina C. Sam, Chief of Operations at ATRIEV.

 

To widen the program’s reach, PLDT and Smart piloted a workshop for trainers attended by SNED (special needs education) teachers from the Department of Education schools divisions of Makati, Taguig City and Pateros (TAPAT), and representatives from the National Commission on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Resources for the Blind, and Parents, Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC). Using a hands-on, rotating station setup, participants experienced AI-powered apps, guided by instructors who themselves are visually impaired.

 

The module included exploring ‘ChatGPT,’ an AI chatbot that helps in writing, translating, researching, and more, all in human-like text conversation.

 

Participants also explored ‘Seeing AI,’ a mobile app that “speaks” the world -- describing people, objects, text, barcodes, currency, and even emotions – via smartphone camera.

 

The workshop also covered applications for persons with hearing and speech impairments like ‘Live Transcribe’ speech-to-text transcription and ‘Speech Assistant AAC’ text-to-speech app.

 

One station also demonstrated how voice-activated smart speakers can control home devices to turn on lights, play music, set alarms, read out the news, and even answer general knowledge questions.

 

“In our school, we have Deaf learners who are not familiar with Filipino sign language which makes it hard for us to communicate with them. I often use white boards to converse with them but it’s quite cumbersome. Now, with speech assistive applications, these tools will make it easier for me to teach the lessons to my students,” said Karen Rose Sumandal, SNED teacher at Western Bicutan National High School in Taguig.

 

“In our division, SNED teachers often handle students with different disabilities. These intuitive digital applications can help our SNED teachers choose the right tools to communicate more effectively with their students,” said Dr. Osarlo Cantos, EdD, Public Schools District Supervisor/ Division SNED Coordinator, DepEd Schools Division of Makati City.

 

In the past two years, PLDT and Smart’s partnership with ATRIEV has helped train and digitally upskill persons with disabilities, preparing many for employment or entrepreneurship, and transforming them into confident professionals.

 

Through their pioneering IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Advocacy through Technology) program, the PLDT Group reaffirms its mission to uplift the lives of persons in challenging circumstances and to support the country’s pursuit of UNSDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and UNSDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

  

Henry Sy Foundation Promotes Inclusive Education

The Philippines’ Magna Carta for Disabled Persons ensures the rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance of persons with disabilities. The country provides educational assistance to people with disabilities from primary to tertiary education, including vocational or technical training.

One such school is the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City. For over a century, the school had demonstrated the transformative power of education in empowering and unlocking the capabilities of those with diverse disabilities to live fulfilling lives.

 

Though standing as a testament to the Philippines' long-standing commitment to differently-abled education, the school, one of Southeast Asia's oldest institutions for the deaf, suffers from the effects of time and wear, compromising its ability to fulfill its mission.

 

The school lacked basic facilities and accessibility features: converted classrooms, timeworn corridors, limited space for vocational training, inadequate furniture, dilapidated walls and ceilings, broken tiles and faucets, and dim lighting. It was also prone to flooding due to drainage problems, and it had only one functional toilet with a broken door infested by termites.

 

Revitalizing a legacy

 

In a transformative partnership, the Henry Sy Foundation, SM Foundation (SMFI), and the Department of Education's Schools Division Office of Pasay City joined forces to breathe new life into the Senior High School building and a four-story, 12-classroom structure. This initiative, executed under the DepEd's adopt-a-school program, stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in revitalizing educational infrastructure for the benefit of the community.

Teachers conduct lectures on electronics in a more conducive laboratory after the rehabilitation of the school building

 

Previously hindered by infrastructural limitations, the century-old school now features enhanced learning spaces dedicated to various subjects, including dressmaking, beauty care, cookery, electrical, bartending, food & beverage preparation, ICT, and dance. A dance studio with a dressing room and a conference room were also refurbished.

Through the social good collaboration, the laboratory for baking and cookery has been equipped with new tools and furniture, helping conduct more hands-on classes.

To enhance safety and accessibility, ramps and railings were installed throughout the campus, ensuring ease of movement for all students. Aside from revitalizing 10 classrooms, the SM group also refurbished the conference rooms, and the lobby with a reception area to provide a comfortable environment.

Differently abled students from PSD focus as they attend their beauty and cosmetology class in their new building.

 

Helping instill good hygiene and encourage healthy habits, a handwashing station, and separate male and female toilets were rehabilitated with clean, functional cubicles, urinals, and PWD-friendly facilities.

 

The covered court was restored with a spacious stage, creating a conducive space for outdoor learning and recreation. 

The rehabilitation of the facilities at the PSD was undertaken, not just to address the physical challenges but also to cultivate an environment where every student can thrive. The project stands as a testament to the SM and Henry Sy Foundations’ continued pursuit of inclusivity and its commitment to empowering differently-abled individuals through education.

SM Foundation school building program head Juris Soliman and SMFI Project Supervisor Ar. Caren Lopez (fourth and fifth from left) with PSD Principal Shery Funcion and SDO Pasay City SGOD Sylwyn Tenorio (sixth and seventh from left) with the team behind the school’s refurbishment.

Jollibee Group, Pasig LGU to Provide Jobs to Senior Citizens and PWDs

Inclusive Employment Program. The Jollibee Group and the Pasig City Government inked a partnership for the implementation of the company’s inclusive employment program that will provide qualified senior citizens and persons with disability in Pasig with jobs at select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King in the city.

MANILA, Philippines. – The Jollibee Group has recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the city government of Pasig, represented by its Mayor Vico Sotto, as part of the company’s inclusive employment program that provides gainful employment to qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) in select stores in Pasig of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King. 

According to Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head, Global Organization Leadership and Culture and Head, Human Resources Philippines, the partnership with city government of Pasig is consistent with Jollibee Group’s commitment to providing equal employment opportunities to different sectors of society, while promoting inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. 

“We are happy to support the local government unit of Pasig in advancing the interests of our elderly and the differently abled. Through this partnership, we recognize their invaluable role, capacity, and desire to work by giving them the opportunity to become productive members of the community,” Angeles added. 

Under the agreement, Pasig City’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) will assist in conducting initial interviews and profiling of the applicants, while the People with Disability Affairs Office and the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs will provide trainers to assist and instruct qualified applicants prior to deployment. 

Meanwhile, the City Health Office will serve as the official medical institution to conduct the health examinations and issue certificates as ‘fit to work’ for qualified applicants. Successful applicants will be given “front of house” duties, including work as customer relations staff. 

Besides Pasig City, Jollibee Group has also partnered with the local government units of Manila, Antipolo, and Muntinlupa, and the provincial government of Rizal so more senior citizens and PWDs can benefit from the program. 

“We aim to form partnerships with other LGUs in the future so we can help uplift more lives and find qualified and reliable staff who can join us in our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone,” Angeles said. 

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It’s Time for Pasig. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto personally welcomed the delegation from the Jollibee Group during the MOA Signing ceremonies held at the Pasig City Hall.

Partners for Promoting the Well-Being of Senior Citizens and PWDs. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is joined by the Jollibee Group delegation that includes operations team from the participating brands Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King.

Jollibee Group Partners with Muntinlupa LGU to Provide Jobs for Senior Citizens, PWDs

MANILA, Philippines. – The Jollibee Group recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the city government of Muntinlupa, led by Mayor Ruffy Biazon, to provide temporary employment to qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Under the said partnership, 32 qualified senior citizens and PWDs will be given an opportunity to work in the select branches of Jollibee, Greenwich, and Burger King in Muntinlupa City.

“More than just signing a mere document, we have opened up opportunities for people who are in need,” shared Hon. Ruffy Biazon, Muntinlupa City Mayor. “What we have actually done is break through some barriers for our fellow Muntinlupeños particularly to PWDs and seniors.”

“We are happy to partner with the Muntinlupa City government to cater to the needs of senior citizens and PWDs who aspire to work and remain active contributors to society,” shared Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head, Global Organization, Leadership and Culture and Head for Philippines HR. "Through our Inclusive Employment Program, we hope to forge more partnerships with local government units and open more employment opportunities for elderly and differently-abled persons across NCR and the country.”

The city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will assist the Jollibee Group in the hiring process. Muntinlupa PESO will screen applicants before endorsing qualified candidates to the company. Once selected, successful candidates will be tasked with customer relations staff duties such as ushering customers and helping with table services.

Alongside Muntinlupa, Jollibee Group also partnered with the LGUs of Manila and Antipolo this year to implement its inclusive employment program.

Interested applicants can get more information on this employment program from the Muntinlupa Persons with Disability Affairs Office and the Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs.

DTI Investigating Report on Alleged Abuse of PWD Discount Cards—Trade Chief

MANILA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is currently investigating the report on the alleged abuse of Persons with Disability (PWD) identification cards, following the viral post on social media wherein members of an entire family all had PWD discount cards.

The social media post, showing a photo of a family from Quezon City with members all supposedly having visual impairment and one with psychosocial disability, circulated on social media last 20 June 2020.

"Abuse of privilege in any law ruins the spirit behind it. Such discount is solely meant for actual persons with disability. DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), is currently investigating the matter," Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

He reported that a group of restaurant owners has reached out to DTI regarding multiple fraudulent usages of PWD ID cards.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 10754, also known as "An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability", cardholders may avail of at least 20% discount and exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) for certain goods and services, including food establishments, hotels, and recreational centers, as well as for the availment of medical and dental services and the purchase of essential drugs and medicines.

Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group Ruth Castelo added that communications have been made to DTI on this growing concern by members of one of the largest groups of restaurant and food establishment owners around the country.

"We are currently dealing with the matter and will file appropriate action against those found having fake PWD cards," she said.

Sec. Lopez said: "Especially in this time of crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, people should not be abusing their PWD ID cards since many restaurant owners are also facing difficulty in keeping their businesses afloat."

"Further, such action gives undue discrimination to people who actually have disabilities that we do not immediately see," he added.

The trade chief also emphasized that such corruption is not tolerated and must immediately be reported to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).