The Employees’ Compensation Commission recently granted benefits under its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program to persons with work related disability (PWRD) in Tuguegarao City.

Leones Plaridel and Alfredo Talosig both figured in an accident while working. Plaridel’s feet were struck by a jackhammer while unloading it from a truck. He suffered serious damage in his right ankle and his leg underwent a surgical operation.

On the other hand, Talosig met a vehicular accident while driving a truck loaded with grains and corn. He lost control over the steering wheel due to the slippery road. The truck hit a concrete lightpost and fell on a cornfield. He sustained a spinal injury.

The ECC-Quick Response Team of Regional Extension Unit 2 visited Plaridel and Talosig and assisted them on claiming their Employees’ Compensation Program benefits.

Talosig and Leones both received P2,000 permanent partial disability pension and P575 carer’s allowance for eight months amounting to P20,600. Aside from the monthly pension they receive from the ECC, they were also given free ten physical therapy sessions worth P6,400, meal and transportation allowance for rehabilitation amounting to P1238.10 and P1226.19, respectively, prosthesis worth P17,920 for Talosig and Bread and Pastry Production training worth P2,495 sponsored by the ECC-KaGabay Program.

As part of the benefits of the KaGabay, PWRDs who availed training skills and rehabilitation services were also granted meal and transportation allowance to ensure that they will not miss any of their classes or sessions.

With all these benefits, Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis, however, encourages employers and employees to practice good occupational safety and health by complying with OSH standards to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for employees. On the other hand, employees should also take reasonable care of their own health and safety.

“I would like to emphasize that prevention is better than compensation and rehabilitation. The ECC provides benefits for work-related incidents but good practices in OSH provide a better and healthier community,” explained Banawis.

 

7 September 2015