“I could only remember two things that day: The dazzling light of the motorcycle and the loud bang the moment it hit me,†said Ronald M. Inao.
Things are still vivid for the 40-year-old aircon technician from Roxas City who was just waiting for his co-workers after rendering an overtime work when a fast approaching motorcycle accidentally hit him. The next thing he could remember was seeing himself writhing in pain, but he couldn’t feel his left leg.
He looked around and saw people rushing towards him. He almost passed out.
He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Milibili, Roxas City where he was diagnosed with left leg fracture. Doctors advised him to seek further medical attention at Saint Lukes Manila where he eventually underwent leg casting.
After the operation, he went back to Roxas City where the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) thru its Regional Extension Unit 6, assisted him in filing for his Employees’ Compensation (EC) claims.
Inao was granted a total of P107, 282 of EC benefits due to his work-connected disability. He also availed of ECC’s Rehabilitation Services under the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay)—another EC Program component which offers economic assistance  for persons with work-related disability (PWRDs).
Inao underwent intensive physical therapy sessions with meal and transportation allowance which amounted to P98, 170. He admitted to having struggles during the sessions and has had seed of doubts about recovering. But along his road to recovery, he started to just let go of all his worries and continued with the sessions.
Eventually, it was not only his leg that recovered but also his emotional state.
After his physical rehabilitation, he also availed the skills training under the ECC KaGabay Program where he acquired new skill on wiring installation at Capiz State University. Thereafter, he received additional P20, 000-worth of assorted power tools from ECC as a start-up capital for his Electro-mechanical and General Services business—another chance at life for him.
Months ago, Inao felt anxious about his and his loved ones’ lives due to his accident. But now that ECC has helped him out, he says he sees life in a more positive way.
“Whenever I think about what happened, I can’t help but feel sad about life. But because of people with big hearts like ECC, I now see life in a different light. Thanks to ECC.â€
ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis expressed her support for Inao saying “We do not only provide compensation package to workers who meet work-related sickness or injury, we also give hope and new perspective about life to persons with work-related disability.â€
Reporting by Stephen Barredo; Editing by Carlo A. Katigbak