In the Philippines, the unemployment rate still far exceeds the employment rate. The ideal turnover ratio of graduates in finding employment which will earn them a living remains to be a far-flung ideal between the growing population and the economy.

            Given the present competitive condition, the search for jobs commonly undervalues the educational course completed by a certain graduate since a great number of job applicants queue on the same line of the hiring process. The bottom line at most is that, for the sake of getting the job the applicant will be ready to take any position which in truth is not matched with his or her educational attainment.

            It will be the rarest opportunity for one to see and read a job hiring notice which in bold letters state, JOB OPENING: FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. For some, may be ridiculous or presumptuous; but to those who can relate, the job signage is an illustrious and outstanding representation of courage and generosity that bars out the discrimination of the hearing impaired sector in the society.

            The employers’ side in the hiring equation is to get new employees for their labor who are qualified and who are sound and fit for the job as compliance to the requirements of the human resource policy. Whereas, the assumed intent is for the employers to overcome the avoidable obstacles, such as having to conduct interviews where sign language interpreters are rarely provided and the hindsight on the how the impairment will impact the job performance standards. 

            In 1991, Republic Act 7277 was enacted by Congress and the Senate into law which was otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. It embodies the rights of disabled persons which among others included the hearing impaired citizens of the Philippines from the discrimination that may arise in the labor and employment hiring process and with tax incentives that will help motivate them to be part of the country’s productive labor force. In addition, the degrees of penalties in violation to the law are also explicitly stated therein to protect the rights of the disabled.

            As a channel in the implementation of the Act, the Department of Education firmly advocates the development of the physically disabled in the society not only to give them hope but to give them a future where they can be confident and self reliant as productive citizens of the country among their fellowmen in the pursuit of excellence which must be given equal to all.   

                           Do not be surprised, in a matter of time the hearing impaired students will see job vacancy signs as common which proudly states in bold letters, JOB OPENING: FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED.

By: IMELDA P. BUENSUCESO | Teacher III | Bataan National High School | Balang City, Bataan