As part of its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawag may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program, the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) visited a retired government employee to monitor her ECC assisted-livelihood project for possible provision of complimentary kit of ₱10, 000.00. The said grant is an additional assistance to qualified persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs).

Mona B. Gulmatico is a 66 year-old former Administrative Assistant of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office VI, City of IloIlo who suffered from cerebrovascular accident and cardio vascular disease in 2011.

She applied for EC benefits and initially received ₱4,423.48 TTD benefits and EC medical benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the administering agency of the EC Program for the public sector.

As additional services and benefits, ECC informed Gulmatico that she is qualified for the provision of the rehabilitation services under the KaGabay Program thru livelihood and entrepreneurial trainings which she eventually agreed to avail.

At first, Gulmatico wanted to have a hog raising livelihood in Janiuay, Iloilo as a fitting idea in their locality, but consequently, changed her mind and pursued a frozen food business, selling tocino, hams, bacon, hotdog, burger patty, and other related products.

“I have second thoughts about my initial choice as this will surely cause me a lot of effort which is beyond my skill and physical capacity. I’m ageing, and I think that maintaining a hog raising business will take a big energy. So, I said to myself  that I should choose a business where I can use my social and client experience which I have gained in my long government service. Thus, a frozen food business would be a good alternative. No regrets, just gratitude.” said Gulmatico.

ECC facilitated the social preparation and provision of entrepreneurship training for her in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Iloilo City.  After the successful training, ECC provided Gulmatico a starter kit worth Php 20,000.00 to commence her proposed livelihood, in 2018 under the ECC-KaGabay Program.

“My pension and other source of income are not enough to sustain my family daily. The livelihood grant that ECC provided to me is really a big help. I thought my life would be boring after retirement but this not only helped me financially but also made me physically active because this requires me to meet clients and friends while sustaining my livelihood.  In fact, I am very busy, especially every Christmas season as most of my clients are ordering various Holiday products. Indeed, ECC is a big help for me. Thank you.” said Gulmatico while proudly sharing the comfort that her chosen livelihood had caused her.

 

S. Barredo – REU6