Quezon City, led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, has been recognized as an Extraordinary Disability-Inclusive City by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on July 22, 2026.
The distinction was conferred under the NCDA Biennial Recognition Award Program during the 48th National Disability Rights Week, honoring local governments and individuals that have made significant contributions to advancing the rights, welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The city attributed the recognition to the work of its Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), partner organizations and the local disability community. The award recognizes initiatives that improve everyday life through better access to government services, employment, livelihood programs, social assistance and health referrals.
Quezon City allocates at least 1% of its annual general fund to programs benefiting persons with disabilities. Through its main office, online platform and satellite offices in all six districts, the PDAO processes registrations and ID applications, while qualified indigent residents may receive a monthly allowance of ₱500 for up to one year.
The PDAO also facilitates medical referrals, disability assessments, assistive device distribution and sign language training for government frontline personnel. It likewise helps connect residents with employment and livelihood opportunities.
As of March 2026, the city’s Kasama Ka sa Kyusi initiative had provided jobs to more than 500 beneficiaries. Quezon City also employed 731 persons with disabilities in permanent, contractual and job order positions, representing 3.12% of its 23,440-member workforce, while partnerships with Jollibee, Shakey’s and Cabalen resulted in the hiring of 95 deaf workers in 2025.
“Karapatan ng ating persons with disabilities sector na magkaroon ng sapat at makabuluhang oportunidad upang makapagtrabaho at magkaroon ng dignified na kabuhayan,” Belmonte said when the city institutionalized the employment program in May.
The city also supports PWD-owned businesses through the AccessABLE Market, which provides entrepreneurs and their families a venue to sell their products. As of April, its 23 active entrepreneurs had generated more than ₱2.14 million in sales over 41 operating days.
The recognition highlights Quezon City’s efforts to translate disability-inclusive policies into tangible benefits, expanding access to employment, income opportunities, public services and government assistance for residents with disabilities.
