DAVAO CITY – The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) through its Regional Extension Unit in Region 11 granted assistive devices in the form of prosthesis to six persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) on September 21, 2018 at the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 11.
The said PWRDs are Jeffrey Albelda, Junekey Sinining, Joshua Bunhayag, Marlito Vital, Lenny Abarques and Flora Mae Degamon, all are Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) beneficiaries who were victims of work-related contingencies in the performance of their work.
“I am thankful to the ECC for providing me this functional prosthesis that can aid me as I go back to work,” said Bunhayag after receiving a below the elbow prosthesis.
According to Bunhayag, he could not have felt physically complete again had it not for the program of the ECC taking into account the cost of the device.
The ECC spent more than P700,000.00 in its continuing pursuit to make every amputated worker be fully rehabilitated, thus, making them productive members of the society again.
The grant of assistive devices to ECP beneficiaries is in pursuance to the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program of the ECC that seeks to restore the self-esteem that is clearly lost after a worker becomes disabled.
“There’s a big difference in my feelings now that I am wearing my prosthesis because I would appear complete again in the eyes of other people. The ECC has greatly contributed in regaining my confidence,” said Albelda, a former machine operator of HLPM Plastic Corporation.
Prior to the awarding of the prosthesis, all the beneficiaries underwent free physical therapy sessions which was facilitated by ECC regional officers, Albert Bantan and Meg Domingo-Loayan.
“It has been the ultimate mission of the ECC to provide immediate aide for victims of work-related cases and provide them with the opportunity to continue being economically productive,” said ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis.
Banawis assured the beneficiaries of their due benefits under the ECP but she also reminded everyone that though there is an EC program, the primacy of safety and health in the workplace should be recognized and promoted by all employers and workers.
Want to know more about the Employees’ Compensation Program? Email ECC at [email protected] or call 899-4251 local 227 for free on-site seminars.
End./Albert Bantan