Breaking barriers: PWD workers show strength in inclusion in Eastern Samar town

EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – For most people, securing a job is a milestone. And for persons with disabilities (PWDs), it’s often an uphill battle – and excelling in the role is another story.

In Llorente, a quiet town in Eastern Samar, the narrative shifts. In the town, three local government employees – Jose Bonga Jr., Engineer Eduardo Altar, and Kristofferson Cruz – are breaking barriers. Their stories show how inclusion and opportunity, paired with grit and determination, can transform lives and enrich communities.

In a country where employment remains a distant goal for many PWDs, their achievements show what’s possible when society dares to believe in ability over limitation.

Guiding people

Known to many as “Kuya Jose-Jose,” Bonga is one of the first faces one encounters at the Llorente municipal hall, where he has worked as an information desk aide under a casual work contract since 2022. Relying on crutches due to a congenital limb deficiency, Jose navigates his workday with ease and dedication.

“Nagpapakiana hira haak hit mga opisina… guide hit mga tawo,” he said. (They ask me about the offices… I get to guide people.)

Jose’s journey to employment began with the encouragement of his family after graduating K-12, who believed that working would bring him more fulfillment than staying home.

“Han pag-apply ko hin trabaho dinhi, nagkukuri na liwat ak [hat] ha balay, asya it nga nagmalaka kuha ak hin trabaho, nag-apply,” he recalled. (I was already struggling with just staying at home, so I decided to look for work and applied.)

Adjusting to his new role was made easier by a supportive work environment. While occasional encounters with prejudice exist, he focuses on the positive relationships he’s built with his colleagues.

“Danay mataray, gin-iisgan ak… maraot [it] kulaw,” he said. (Sometimes they’re rude, they scold me… they look at me badly.)

For Jose, his job is not just about earning a living but also about proving his capability and independence.

Strength and resilience

Engineer Altar’s story began in childhood when he developed swimmer’s ear, leading to significant hearing loss. Without access to medical treatment, Eduardo grew up navigating a world that often seemed silent.

“Han una kay waray kami kwarta para han medisina, so amo adto pinabay-an nala anay,” he said. (Back then, we didn’t have money for medicine, so I just had to live with it.)

Despite this, Eduardo pursued his passion for fixing appliances such as broken washing machines and electric fans, a skill that eventually led him to a career in engineering. 

Now a vocational school administrator at the Llorente Technological Institute (LTI), he has risen above his challenges while actively advocating for PWD rights.

Eduardo fondly recalled his journey in the workforce: “Ma-apply ako han electrical engineer position kay mayda hira need, asya nag-submit ak.” (I applied for the electrical engineer position because they needed one, so I submitted my application.)

In 2013, Eduardo was finally able to afford a hearing aid, which transformed his daily life. Yet even with his success, he hasn’t forgotten the sting of discrimination. In high school, a teacher once mocked him, calling him “bungol” (deaf). 

Eduardo turned the hurtful remark into a joke: “Magaano maak kay asya maak hin, at least gwapo.” (I don’t mind because that’s who I am, at least I’m handsome.)

As an adviser to Llorente’s PWD community, Eduardo urged others to use their challenges as stepping stones.

“Stepping stone para dire kita pumadara hit masisiring hit iba, lugod himuan, dire mawad-an hin paglaom,” he advises. (A stepping stone so we don’t dwell on what others might say, but instead take action and never lose hope.)

Vision beyond sight

For Cruz, fondly known as “Topher,” being a visually impaired member of the LGBTQ+ community has never been a significant hindrance.

“Never has my disability affected me. Para haak, normal nala nga dire na makita hin duha nga mata,” he said confidently. (For me, it’s normal not to see with both eyes.)

He lost his eyesight in childhood after an accident involving a broom strand, which he humorously substitutes with a barbecue stick when telling the story for comedic effect. Despite this, his disability has never stopped him from fully embracing life.

After spending 14 years in Manila working as a personal secretary and managing a parlor, Topher returned to Llorente in search of a simpler and more inclusive life. He now works as a liaison officer for the local government, earning P250 a day.

“Simple la it akon kinabuhi, importante may pagkaon hin tulo ka beses ha adlaw,” he shares. (My life is simple; what’s important is having food to eat three times a day.)

As the president of Llorente’s PWD community, Topher has been advocating for better benefits and opportunities for PWDs, such as an annual one-sack rice subsidy for their members. He ensures members are registered and encourages them to embrace their identity.

“Dire ka mahadlok pag-come out. Pakita nga an pagiging PWD o LGBTQ+ dire dapat ikahuya. Kay an ginbubuhat han iba, kaya gihapon naton,” he says with conviction. (Don’t be afraid to come out. Show that being a PWD or LGBTQ+ is nothing to be ashamed of. What others can do, we can do too.)

Listening to the stories of the three, it became clear that sometimes, the most meaningful empowerment comes through employment – providing them with the opportunity to earn a living and build a better life for themselves. Through their work and dedication, Jose, Eduardo, and Topher show that their disabilities have shaped – not limited – them.

“Ma-inborn man o madire, kay mayda hiton maupay nga plano para hit aton mga kinabuhi,” Eduardo says, affirming his faith in the human potential. (Whether inborn or not, there is a good plan for our lives)

The town may not yet offer guide dogs or state-of-the-art accessibility features, but it has made strides in fostering inclusion for its PWD community. In Llorente, dignity isn’t defined by limitations but by the quiet resolve to redefine what it means to live as differently abled. – Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a student journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar, enrolled in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. A managing editor of Amaranth, Cyril is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.