THE AUTISM Society Philippines (ASP) is calling on the city government to expand the PWD special employment to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ASP president Uswaldo Parreñas recognized the city government’s special employment for PWD ordinance, but wishes if possible, to expand it to cater to the autism spectrum.
“There is a need to also include a specific program to help the individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Parreñas said.
The city government and Jollibee Group officially signed the memorandum of agreement on Sept. 11, 2025, formally integrating the senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) workforce.
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr, proponent of the Special Employment ordinance, said the council is eyeing to expand the opportunity to other PWDs, as it is currently limited to the deaf and has difficulty hearing.
It can be noted that the first batch of 21 PWDs, employed in various Jollibee Food Corporation food chains in the city, concluded their work last March.
Parreñas said the ASP provides skills training to adults with ASD to prepare them for possible employment, which is supported by SM, among others.
“We have started this with SM, where they try to employ adults with autism, but this is not on a full-time basis, parang short term lang siya, hindi diretsong eight hours, sometimes halfway lang,” he said.
The official said the characteristics of the individuals with ASD in terms of patience are a factor in the difficulty in finding jobs suitable for them.
However, the ASP is negotiating with other companies for employment in the specific sector.
“Daghang interested, but the challenge is we still have to give training to these individuals, hindi natin basta basta diretso na,” he said.
Under the Autism Works program of ASP, there were six individuals employed pre-pandemic, but the program was halted.
The ASP is working to resume the program to give hope and a chance to individuals with ASD.
The group lauded the City Person with Disability Affairs Office for the proposed Autism Center.
“The PDAO is helping us a lot, and in fact, they are planning to have an Autism Center, mas maganda yan kasi may specific area kung asa moadto,” Parreñas said.
He stressed there is a need to have a separate center for individuals with ASD to focus more on their needs for medical assistance and possible employment.
Parents and guardians of kids 0-6 years of age can avail of the free services from the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children.
While it caters to children aged 0-6 years old with ASD, it does not focus on them but also caters to Intellectual Disability, Global Developmental Delay, Speech or Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disorder, Physical Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment/Hearing Loss, Sensory Delays, and cognitive delays.
