Southstar Drug has welcomed its second batch of Persons with Disability (PWDs) talents. The announcement on the drugstore chain’s Facebook page, included a group photo of the new hires.
“At Southstar Drug, inclusion means action,” the caption reads. “We’re proud to welcome our second batch of PWD talents, including individuals with Autism and Down Syndrome, into our stores as customer service assistants.”
The drugstore’s inclusive program was made possible with the help and support of the Philippine Business and Disability Network, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, the Center for Special Needs Center Parañaque, and the Manila City PESO Office.
Zach, one of the new hires, shared how meaningful the opportunity has been: “Job interviews have always been hard for me, but Southstar let me show what I can do. I feel seen and respected here.”
Southstar Drug General Manager Thaddeus Sanchez emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusion, saying, “We remain committed to building a more inclusive workplace, one opportunity at a time.”
Southstar Drug and Project Inclusion
Southstar Drug began its inclusive hiring efforts in 2016, through Project Inclusion, Unilab Foundation’s employment program for PWDs. That first batch included 14 young adults with Autism and Down Syndrome, who worked eight-hour shifts in administrative and in-store roles.
Aside from hiring PWDs, the company partnered with the Project Inclusion Network (PIN) for their #DropThePrefix Campaign in 2019. The campaign, which aimed to highlight PWDs’ capabilities and livelihood opportunities, launched a product line of eco-bags and calendars that featured paintings and artworks from PIN constituents. These were sold in select Southstar branches at the time.
Expanding opportunities for neurodivergent individuals
Different groups and local government units have been pushing for better work opportunities for neurodivergence, PWDs, and inclusivity in the workplace over the years.
The newly-opened Taguig Yakap Center, for example, offers a livelihood program. Beneficiaries learn essential life skills and gain work experience through Equal Grounds Cafe, with the goal of earning a living and becoming self-sufficient individuals.
The Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) has also made strides through its “Autism Works program, which provides employment opportunities to qualified job seekers in selected cities in the Philippines. In 2023, ASP Autism Works had 300 placements in 11 provinces in the country, including the A-OK Campaign in the food industry. These hires enjoy regular positions with the same job, pay, and benefits as other employees in companies like SM Markets (Savemore, Hypermarket) and Pancake House.
In an interview, Mona Magno-Veluz, Country Manager of Autism Works, Autism Society of the Philippines, shared the importance of the program, saying, “The A-OK Philippines campaign reflects the ASP’s aspiration to build a nation that will accept, accommodate and appreciate Filipinos on the spectrum for how they are—not how people want them to be.”
Here’s a list of PWD benefits in the country.
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