In Region 9, ECC teams up with DA in preparing PWRDs start their own business
With the aim of facilitating the integration of persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) into the economic mainstream, the Employees’ Compensation Commission Regional Extension Unit No. 9 (ECC REU 9) has partnered with its regional counterpart in the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in launching its own brand of Start Your Own Business, or SYOBE last 12 May 2015.
“The objective of the program is to ensure that the PWRDs who have plans of establishing their own business are well-prepared,” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.
Participated in by ten PWRDs and their relatives, the activity was held at the Conference Room of the Department of Agriculture with its Assistant Regional Director Peter Andalahao welcoming the participants.
“With the initiative of the Employees’ Compensation Commission, we can say that the government is really working hard to address the needs of the people,” DA Asst. Regional Director Andalahao said.
DOLE Regional Office No. 9 Assistant Director Yahya Centi, meanwhile, shared a brief but very inspirational message focusing on the importance of attitude, perseverance, and dedication to work in order for one to succeed. He further added that assistance from government may be provided, but its real benefit will only be felt if the worker-beneficiaries commit to its implementation and sustain the livelihood undertaking.
A brief orientation on Meat Processing was conducted by DA’s Annabelle Madrazo as part of the activity.
In 2014, a total of 183 PWRDs were sponsored by the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay ng Manggagawang May Kapansanan in various vocational training courses and business orientation seminars with its various program partners in the National Capital Region and in the regions around the country. They acquired skills in various courses such as soapmaking, bookkeeping, hog raising, meat processing, basic automotive mechanic, breadmaking and bakery operation, welding, electrical installation and maintenance, basic electronics, food processing, cakes and pastries, among others.
The KaGabay is a special economic assistance program for PWRDs who have lost employment by reason of work-related sickness or injury. It provides PWRDs access to physical and occupational therapies, skills training for possible re-employment, and entrepreneurship training for small, or home-based, business.
The KaGabay program complements the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) which provides a package of benefits and services for public and private sector employees and their dependents in the event of work-related contingencies such as sickness, injury, disability, or death.
“We put a bigger emphasis on promoting safety in the workplace as prevention is always better than compensation and rehabilitation. Prevention of workplace accidents and diseases should be of utmost concern as the health and safety of our workers is our primary consideration,” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis.
ECC enjoins immediate release of ECP benefits for the victims of Kentex fire incident
The Employees’ Compensation Commission has pledged to provide maximum assistance to the injured workers and the families of more than 70 workers whose lives were taken away by the recent fire incident in the Kentex Manufacturing Corporation, Valenzuela City.
“The ECC will ensure that all the workers in the list provided by the City Government of Valenzuela or their families will be accorded the benefits from the Employees’ Compensation Program,” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.
Banawis explained that there is a need to spare the victims and their families from the submission of several documentary requirements in the processing of their EC benefits. Thus, the ECC issued Board Resolution No. 15-05-21 to hasten the grant of EC benefits to the workers who survived the tragedy and/or to the families of workers who perished in the conflagration.
The ECC, through the said board resolution, directed SSS to immediately process and release the corresponding EC benefits to the workers who survived the tragedy.
According to the board resolution, submission of the list of casualties issued by the City Government of Valenzuela would be enough to process and eventually release the payment of EC sickness/injury benefit and the initial payment of EC death benefits.
The board resolution also provides that ECC will furnish SSS the list of casualties of Kentex fire incident, and in turn, SSS will disseminate the list to all concerned SSS branches that have jurisdiction to process the EC benefits based on the addresses of the survivors/families of the victims whose names appear on the list.
“It is fortunate that SSS is in tune with the ECC’s aim of providing maximum assistance to the victims and/or their families,” said ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis.
Banawis also mentioned that the ECC Quick Response Program Team has already been deployed to brief the victims or their families about the ECP benefits and assist them in the filing of EC claim at the SSS.
ECC visits Zamboanga traffic aide
In Zamboanga City – The Employees’ Compensation Commission – Regional Extension Unit 9, through its Quick Response Program, visited Edwin Marcial, a resident of Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
Marcial, a traffic aide working for the local government of the City of Zamboanga, suffered a mild stroke last December 14, 2014 while serving his post in Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City.
Upon learning about the case of Marcial through social media, ECC immediately went to his residence and provided him assistance.
The Quick Response Team Program of the ECC provides immediate help to workers who suffer from work-connected contingencies or their families who have to deal with work accidents or sudden onset of occupational disease or death, in the form of psycho-social counseling and assistance in the filing of EC claim with the GSIS or the SSS.
Marcial underwent Psychosocial First Aid and was advised to file for his Employees Compensation (EC) Claim with the Government Service Insurance System.