Persons With Disabilities (PWD) continue to face challenges in accessing economic and social opportunities that able-bodied individuals may have been taking for granted.
In the 2025 Trend Report of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Research and Development Platforms Programme, PWDs face significant challenges in employment, including limited access to education and skills training, inaccessible infrastructure, restricted job opportunities, and even social stigma. Compared to their peers, PWDs have lower employment rates and limited career opportunities.
In a time when governments push inclusivity in their policies and programs, how well do these interventions actually benefit parts of the community who are visible—but are often overlooked?
In June 2026, the United Nations Public Service Awards recognized Carmona City for “delivering inclusive and equitable services” as part of its Holistic Framework for Disability-Inclusive Governance. Specifically, the UN gave its seal of approval to the Carmona KALINGYAKAP Integrated Shelter as the city’s community based program that promotes the inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities by combining education, rehabilitation, community-based services, livelihood support and inclusive housing, and promoting the quality of life and social participation of PWDs.
It takes a village
PWDs are at the receiving end of negative attitude from their communities and even their own families. Low-income families do not invest in the education of children with disabilities, which lead to limited opportunities for decent employment. With their deeply superstitious beliefs and folk traditions, the presence of a disabled family member is considered a curse. In extreme cases, these PWDs experience stigma and even abandonment from their family.
These extreme cases of neglect led the city government to come up with the idea of creating a home for PWDs where they can receive education and livelihood training.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Mayor Dahlia Loyola noted that creating an inclusive environment where initiatives such as the KALINGYAKAP Integrated Shelter can flourish requires the support from all parts of the community.
“We started the program for Persons With Disabilities in 2022. Nagsimula kami as part of our Alternative Learning System, then through the years na-polish namin ‘yan hanggang sa kami ay nagkaroon ng Center-Based which is located sa Carmona Elementary School.”
From Carmona Elementary School, the center-based approach for education and rehabilitation for PWDs expanded to nine (9) local elementary schools which prompted the city government to build a centralized facility catering for PWDs including those who have been abandoned by their families.
“Nakita namin na there is a need for a shelter dahil mayroon kaming nakitang tatlong [PWD] na inabandona ng kanilang first kin. Kaya ang sabi namin, kailangan na natin ng shelter.”
Over the years, the city government worked with philanthropist Tomas Ang who offered his support in building a facility where PWDs can receive care and opportunities—a metaphorical crutch they can use until they become skilled enough for business and work.
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) Carmona City Mayor, Dr. Dahlia Loyola with Mr. Tomas delos Santos, Founder of Delos Santos Family Foundation (Dr. Dahlia A. Loyola/Facebook)
A caring community
The City Government provided Ang with a parcel of land where he built a community that provides specialized care for PWDs, including shelter, treatment and support that will help them grow as students, workers, entrepreneurs and functional community members.
A physician by profession, Loyola emphasized the importance of early detection in providing holistic care for PWDs.
“From early interventions, titingnan ng developmental pediatrician. Pagkatapos noon, gagawan namin ng Behavioral Modification [at] Sensory Modification, gagawa ng assessment kung ikaw [PWD] ay magbe-benefit from normal education. ‘Pag magbe-benefit ka sa normal education, ihahanda namin ‘yung bata.”
Loyola added, “May pumapasok sa school, depende lang doon sa subject na gusto. Mayroon ring full mainstreaming kung saan mayroon pa rin silang shadow teacher na galing sa center or full inclusion na.”
Managed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Special Education (SPED) Centers are available in public schools all over the country where specialized teachers oversee instruction. Depending on their readiness, these children are either fully or partially integrated into mainstream classes.
With a goal to teach PWDs life skills needed for their survival in mainstream community, the Kalingyakap Integrated Shelter mimics a small community—complete with a fully furnished house, school, sari-sari stores, coffee shops, barber shops, and even restaurants where students and their parents can learn how to fully adopt to the community while living with their conditions.
No one is left behind
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Delos Santos Family Foundation Founder Don Tomas Delos Santos Ang, Carmona City Mayor Dr. Dahlia Loyola, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Cavite Governor Francisco Gabriel Remulla, Cavite Fifth District Represetative Atty. Roy Loyola and Cavite Vice Governor Ramon Vicente Ram Revilla at the opening of KALINGYAKAP Integrated Shelter, Support & Services for Persons With Disabilities. (photo courtesy of Dr. Dahlia Loyola/Facebook)
Although a young city, Carmona boasts of a comprehensive and inclusive program for PWDs where they are taught to become dignified members of the community. The Kalingyakap Integrated Shelter, Support & Services Center, formally opened last July 31, was the culmination of various programs, policies and projects that promote the dignity, mobility and inclusivity for PWDs.
Aside from its facilities, Carmona also has its very own Community-Based Monitoring System, a central database of residents including PWDs with their areas of residence, age, gender, and other basic information.
In 2017, the then-Municipality of Carmona approved its Municipal Ordinance 08-2017 which created an independent Persons of Disability Affairs Office (PDAO). As its own department, the Carmona PDAO has its own staffing and receives annual budget allotment from the city to fund its programs and projects, ensuring that all benefits and programs catering to PWDs are responsive.
To create a network of services catering for PWDs, Carmona City created its very own Persons With Disability Affairs Office which is attached to the Office of the Mayor. With her professional training and experiences, Loyola oversaw the establishment of the PDAO to ensure a targeted approach in serving their PWD residents.
“We are a standing testament that disability inclusion can be brought into a concrete action through political will, sustained leadership, integration of policies and legislation, at higit sa lahat, support from the private sector.” (PB-PIA CALABARZON)