Cebu Pacific Partners with Benilde to Empower Deaf Students in Aviation and Tourism

MANILA, Philippines — In a significant move towards fostering workforce inclusivity, Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific has forged a partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) to provide internship opportunities for deaf students. This collaboration aims to nurture future professionals within the aviation and tourism industries. The country's leading carrier formalized its tie-up with Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) through a memorandum of agreement. This accord grants deaf learners the chance to undergo immersion in a professional setting and gain hands-on experience across the airline's diverse operations. Cebu Pacific was represented by chief human resources officer Felix Lopez, while vice chancellor for academics Angelo Marco Lacson and SDEAS dean Marian Patricia Bea Francisco inked the deal for Benilde. "This is the first time a major airline has opened its doors to deaf student interns. As more entities open their doors to deaf students, more inclusive work environments are created," said Marian Patricia Bea Francisco, SDEAS dean. She added that for many young deaf individuals, working in the aviation industry might seem like a distant dream, but this partnership is a tangible step towards realizing those aspirations. Under Cebu Pacific's "Find the Leader in You" internship program, three SDEAS interns from the Business Service Outsourcing Management Track are currently collaborating alongside hearing students from various colleges and universities. These interns commenced their program in June and will conclude their internship in August, having gained practical exposure to the airline's day-to-day operations. Felix Lopez, chief human resources officer of Cebu Pacific, expressed his enthusiasm: "We're excited to welcome our students from DLS-CSB to Cebu Pacific and learn alongside them. Internships are often a person's first step into the workforce, and we want that experience to be meaningful, supportive, and empowering." Prior to the internship program's commencement, SDEAS conducted a deaf awareness session for airline employees. This session covered deaf culture, inclusive communication techniques, and strategies to enhance workplace accessibility, ensuring a supportive environment for the interns. This initiative by Cebu Pacific highlights a growing trend in the Philippines towards greater corporate social responsibility and the active inclusion of marginalized groups in the workforce. As the nation continues to rely on its overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for economic stability, such domestic programs are crucial for developing local talent and creating more equitable employment opportunities within the country.