Cagayan de Oro City – The Employees’ Compensation Commission-Regional Extension Unit 10 (ECC-REU 10), in coordination with SGG Orthocare and Medical Enterprise, recently granted prosthesis and orthosis to persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) in Cagayan de Oro City.
The three PWRDs, hailing from Cagayan de Oro City, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon provinces, have distinct stories explaining the reason for their work-related disabilities. Elmer Labor, a lineman at an electric company in Lanao del Norte, suffered an accidental electric shock in January 2021 while repairing a power line. This incident led to the loss of his right leg and left arm, significantly impacting his mobility and preventing him from resuming his previous job. Victor Timosa, on the other hand, a resident of Bukidnon, figured in a work-related vehicular accident in July 2016 resulting in a right leg injury. Consequently, he became dependent on crutches for walking and was unable to perform his job. While, Mark Angelo Cinco from Cagayan de Oro City, suffered a mild stroke while working as a call center manager. This left him with partial paralysis on his right side, impairing his ability to perform tasks requiring fine motor skills.
Through the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program, the three PWRDs were provided with prosthesis and orthosis free of charge. Labor received an above-knee prosthesis and will receive an above-elbow prosthesis soon from the ECC. Timosa was equipped with a knee ankle foot orthosis to aid in restoring his mobility and facilitating daily activities without relying on crutches. Similarly, Cinco was fitted with a knee ankle foot orthosis to enhance his walking capabilities and overall mobility.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ECC sa inyong dakong tabang sa paghatag ug prosthesis ug uban pa benepisyo sa inyong programa. Dako kaayo ang tabang nga gihatag sa akoa na isa ka PWRD. At least maka-survive ako ug akong pamilya sa pang adlaw adlaw nga kinabuhi. Hinaot unta nga daghan pa mo matabangan sama nako na PWRD. Daghang salamat ECC” (I am grateful to ECC for your significant assistance in providing prosthesis and other benefits. The assistance that you have provided to me as a PWRD greatly helps me and my family survive our daily lives. I hope that more PWRDs like me will be able to receive the same support and assistance. Thank you very much ECC), Labor said.
The provision of prosthesis, orthosis, and other assistive devices to PWRDs, which is part of ECC’s KaGabay Program, is a significant step toward restoring hope and enhancing the quality of life of PWRDs. These devices don’t merely cater to the immediate physical needs of the PWRDs but also to their societal integration. It is part of the ECC’s mission to ensure that PWRDs can regain their independence, reintegrate into the economic mainstream, and embrace a renewed sense of purpose, despite their disabilities.
S. Obice – REU 10