Jebson Igloria is one of the successful person with work-related disability (PWRD) from Region 10 who turned his life around with the help of ECC

Igloria is an employee of UNIDEL Trucking Services in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. For four years, he was a truck driver delivering goods from their company to their clients’ area. But his delivery on June 27, 2014 changed his life completely.

While going back to the company from his delivery in Butuan City, the truck malfunctioned and he met an accident. Because of the accident, the doctors amputated his left leg. At that time, Igloria was devastated not knowing how he can go back to work with his current condition as partially disabled.

The odds were not on his side. His salary for 3 months was placed on hold by his employer. He had nothing to buy for their basic needs considering that he has 2 children and his wife is currently pregnant.

Igloria resorted to visit the Department of Labor and Employment for some advice. His case was referred for SEnA (Single Entry Approach) and to the ECC Regional Extension Unit No. 10 office for assistance in the filing of his EC benefits claims.

His EC claim was approved and is good for 48 months. He received an initial amount of P 16,500.00 for his EC Disability and the rest was given as monthly pension. At the same time, he availed the Physical Restoration and Livelihood Training under the Katulong at Gabay ng Manggagawang May Kapansanan, or the KaGabay Program of ECC.

While waiting for his livelihood training, he underwent 20 sessions of physical therapy in Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro. The said therapy were given for free due to the partnership between ECC and the hospital in terms of provision of rehabilitation services.

As a beneficiary of KaGabay, he joined the free orientation on Entrepreneurship Development and Health Issues and Diseases in Swine Raising conducted by Department of Trade & Industry – Negosyo Center and Pure Mig-Els Distribution Systems Inc, in October 2015.

Then, he underwent a seminar-workshop on Swine Production conducted by Xavier University–Manresa Farm, still with the assistance of ECC. After the training, he received a starter kit which consists of 2 piglets worth P 3,500 each and 2 sack of feeds worth of P 2,515.00

Thankful for ECC’s help, Igloria managed his home business well. As of 2016, he was able to sell 11 piglets, including the ones given as starter kit, and is currently raising 7 piglets. His income was used for their basic needs and for his new ventured business, Food Cart.

Igloria is now selling fried chicken in front of the public market. He sells P25 each and his estimated income per month on the food cart business alone is P12,000.00. Since their daily expenses can suffice the income on both his hog raising and food cart business, he will just use or withdraw his EC monthly pension for emergency purposes only.

Last 13 December 2016, Igloria received his below knee prosthesis from Orthopaedie Frey Far East, courtesy of ECC.

“I am very thankful with ECC. They are ready to serve and assist people like me who is considered a Person with Work-Related Disability. They are there when I was in a tough situation. Through their programs, I was able to support myself and my family. Thank you so much, ECC,” Igloria said.

The KaGabay program is a special economic assistance program of ECC which facilitates integration of ODWs into the economic mainstream through physical restoration, training for re-employment or self-entrepreneurship.
Stella Mae Obice, Information Officer II, ECC Regional Extension Unit No. 10