ILOILO City – A proposal to institutionalize recognition and incentives for persons with disabilities (PWD) employed in the city government is gaining traction in the Iloilo City Council, with majority of councilors supporting the spirit of the measure while calling for its careful planning and long-term sustainability.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog, originally sought to include the recognition during the city’s 88th Charter Day celebration on Aug. 28. However, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) decided to refer it to four committees — Rules, Blue Ribbon, Elderly, and Social Services — to allow for further study.
Councilor Alan Zaldivar said implementing the program this month would be impractical due to time constraints.
“It is already too close to the date if we rush it now,” he said.
Councilor Frances Grace Parcon-Torres, who previously chaired the Ten Outstanding Women of Iloilo (TOWIL) awards, stressed the importance of proper preparation.
“This requires ample time to ensure proper implementation,” she noted, explaining that recognition programs typically involve procurement and bidding processes.
Majority Floor Leader Rex Marcus Sarabia assured that the resolution was not rejected but only deferred for refinement.
“The proposed resolution was not discarded, but it must first undergo thorough study. It would be better to craft it into an ordinance so that recognition of PWD employees becomes institutionalized and can be implemented every Charter Day celebration,” he suggested.
For her part, Mabilog welcomed the broad support, saying she was encouraged by the openness of her colleagues.
“Councilor Sarabia defended me strongly and I saw his dedication also to our PWDs and senior citizens. I wish this will push through even there are still a lot to elaborate to make it an ordinance,” she said.
The SP committees are expected to deliberate on the measure and recommend whether it should be elevated into an ordinance to guarantee its sustainability beyond this year’s celebration./PN