CSC reminds gov’t agencies: Provide PWD lane

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Wednesday reminded government agencies to provide express lanes for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

CSC issued the reminder in celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week from July 17 to 23, 2019.

CSC said that under Memorandum Circular No. 20, s. 2017, signed by Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, all government agencies are required to “provide express lanes for PWDs or in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to PWDs in all the transactions therein.”

Further, CSC said the Career Service Examination (CSE) has also been made more accessible for PWDs with partially and totally blind examinees being allowed to take the exam using either the Dictation or the Braille system administered by a room examiner and proctor.

Meanwhile, those with low vision are provided with test materials that have larger font size while those who are deaf or hard of hearing are guided by a room examiner and proctor with knowledge on sign language or by certified sign language interpreters.

“Examinees who are PWDs, pregnant women, and senior citizens will be assigned to take the examination in a room located on the ground floor of the testing building for ease of movement,” CSC noted. 

CSC said time limit “shall be extended for one hour for the visually impaired and the deaf or hard of hearing, thus, 4 hours and 10 minutes for the CSE-Pen and Paper Test Professional Level, and 3 hours and 40 minutes for the Subprofessional Level.”

However, CSC said time limit for “other PWDs covering examinees with both apparent and non-apparent disability, pregnant women, senior citizens, and the rest of individuals classified as regular examinees” remains at 3 hours and 10 minutes for the Professional Level, and 2 hours and 40 minutes for the Sub-Professional Level. /kga