International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Work Life of Differently Abled Public Servants in Carmen, Davao del Norte: A Case Study

Mike Vincent Dave B. Mullot¹, Wena Lumangyao², Bonna Mae Magbanua³, Mardy Amoroso⁴, Honey Allones⁵, Kenneth Golosinda⁶, Ronel G. Dagohoy^7
1–⁶ Students, Bachelor of Public Administration, Davao del Norte State College
⁷Program Chairperson, Bachelor of Public Administration at Institute of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Good Governance, Davao del Norte State College

Abstract- This study assessed the work life of differently abled public servants of Carmen, Davao del Norte. This study’s main objective is to unravel the experiences of local differently abled public servants. Further, assess the dimensions of their work life based on the principles of Person-in-Environment theory, including material well-being, interpersonal relations and social inclusion, personal development, and self-determination/actualization. This study used the qualitative-descriptive method to describe and clarify human experience as it appears in people’s lives. In addition, this study was conducted in the Local Government Unit of Carmen and employed a homogenous group sampling. Participants are differently abled employees in the locality served for at least six (6) months to a year. The researchers designed an interview-guide questionnaire that elicits the dimensions mentioned above. The result has shown that seven (7) emerging themes can be extracted from the work life of differently abled public servants. The first theme is the unstable employment of the participants. Another theme derived from this study is the existence of job insecurity in the sector. The study also revealed that differently abled government employees experience work impediments and work environment plight in their work life. Lastly, the study revealed the lessons and insights that we can derive from their work lives. The result of the study will aid in creating interventions and programs that best improve and impact the work life of differently abled government employees.

Keywords— Differently Abled, Public Servants, Work Life, Philippines

I. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale

In the world of work, differently abled personnel tend to experience high unemployment, lower earnings than persons without disabilities, and prejudice on their productivity, which causes prevalent poverty in the sector [1]. To address this long-standing issue in the Philippine setting, Congress passed the Republic Act No. 7277, later amended into RA No. 10524, otherwise known as Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. The provisions of this law encourage the government and private institutions to reserve at least one percent (1%) of the positions in their organization for the differently abled. However, the enforcement of this law bears no teeth. It merely encourages the public and private benefactors to be part of a humanitarian act [2].
Often than not, they are relegated to low-level, low-paid jobs with little social and legal security or segregated from the mainstream labor market. Study shows that available work does not ensure a living wage for those employed. Around