Employees with disabilities will take center stage as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday (3 December) at the Central Office’s Multi-purpose Hall.

The observance coincides with the launch of Administrative Order (AO) No. 11, which outlines the DSWD’s comprehensive guidelines on inclusive employment. The AO ensures that at least 1 percent of all regular and non-regular positions across the Central Office (CO) and Field Offices (FOs) are reserved for persons with disability.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian described AO 11, which he signed on 10 November 2025, as “the most progressive inclusion plan in the employment of persons with disabilities.”

“We mean what we do. This is why we institutionalized the hiring of persons with disabilities and created a progressive and comprehensive policy when it comes to employing persons with disabilities,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

He pointed out that AO 11 aims to change people’s attitudes in hiring persons with disabilities; the administrative order ensures that they have equal chances to apply for jobs in the Department. “We look at their abilities, not their disability. We include them in the ring and even carve out plantilla or permanent positions for them,” the DSWD chief said.

Gatchalian said he wants the DSWD to serve as a “disruptor” as it lobbies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to mandate all departments to adopt the provisions of AO 11 and make it a national policy.

DSWD’s AO No. 11 is pursuant to Republic Act 10524, or “An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability,” which amended Republic Act 7277, the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the policy shows compliance with national and international laws on equal employment, provides measures to address long-standing gaps in hiring people with disabilities, and directs human resource units to ensure fair recruitment.

“As part of the DSWD’s mandate, kailangan naming siguraduhin na bawat kwalipikadong tao, kabilang ang persons with disability, ay may patas na pagkakataon na makapasok sa serbisyong publiko o anumang trabaho. Inclusivity will not happen by chance, kaya gumawa tayo ng malinaw na guidelines to ensure that every office actively supports equal employment,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Tuesday (2 December).

The AO calls for continuous coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the DSWD responsible for promoting the rights of persons with disability. It maintains collaboration with community partners for applicant sourcing, the creation of internship programs, the establishment of a support group, and the strengthening of inclusive occupational safety protocols across offices and logistics facilities.

“This is about recognizing the capacity and dignity of people with disabilities and ensuring that government workplaces are safe, accessible, and supportive. Malaking hakbang ito para mas maraming persons with disabilities ang magkaroon ng oportunidad to contribute to nation-building,” the spokesperson said.

To further establish inclusive practices, AO 11 instructs all human resource units to maintain updated data on persons with disabilities and closely monitor compliance with the 1-percent hiring requirement. These mechanisms are expected to guide policy improvements across all DSWD offices nationwide.