As someone who has a hearing impairment, Mr. Arjey Novea is determined to rise above the challenges to succeed in life.

“…it is always important to challenge your own barriers and to believe in yourself despite the struggle ahead of you,” said the 27-year-old lad who hails from Las Piñas City.

At present, Novea is one of the hired government interns at the Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) – MUNTAPARLAS Field Office (MPTLFO).

Before becoming an intern at the labor department, he first worked as Barista at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) for three months right after his graduation. He communicate with customers by having them write down or type their orders.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020, he had to look for another job to shoulder his financial responsibilities, including his motorcycle installment. This led him into working as a delivery rider but found himself scammed by bogus buyers.

Given such circumstances, Novea still strived to look for other employment opportunities.

Upon learning about the Government Internship Program (GIP) opening at DOLE-NCR from his former classmate, he applied for the position right away. Novea eventually got in and it did not take long for him to enjoy his internship as an encoder at the MTPLFO’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Unit.

During his free time, he also assists the Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) unit in the liquidation of TUPAD documents and teach fellow GIPs and MTPLFO staff new knowledge about the sign languages.

Upholding the provisions of Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, DOLE-NCR employs persons with disabilities (PWDs) to give equal opportunities in government work.

END / Report and photo by Ericka Escalada