Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz recently said that the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), as policy and program coordinating body of the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP),  must not only settle with giving away compensation benefits to occupationally disabled workers (ODWs) but ensuring that the ODWs  will lead a  normal life.

Guided by this belief the ECC coined a tagline “Higit pa sa benepisyo ang binibigay na serbisyo”.  A key factor in achieving this goal is thru case management.  Once an ODW is identified, the ECC ensures coordination of services in terms of employees’ compensation.  Starting from the provision of occupational or physical therapy, granting of prosthesis to restore the physical and functional capability of ODWs, skills training or livelihood training to the provision of starter kit if the ODW wants to venture in micro-enterprise or home based business.  These services are amply taken care of under the ECC-Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay Program).  On top of the said services, qualified ODW children may even avail of “The Special Program for Employment of Student” during Christmas and summer time.

Jeffrey Caingcoy, 21 years old of Zamboanga City, a fish carrier met a work-connected accident that resulted to the amputation of his left leg and eventually, caused his separation from work. Through the services provided by the KAGABAY Program he was referred to TESDA and ECC coordinated with his previous employer where he was eventually re-hired after re-training.  He is now working in the same company as a net mender.

Aldrin Ojastro, a seaman, who met an accident while on board an ocean-going vessel, was granted an entrepreneurial course on goat rising at Nego-Skwela.  He was able to put up a business of his own which only started from three pairs of goats and now he has 50 goats to care for.  Now, he is planning to expand his business by buying more goats and hire additional helpers.

Danilo Cabar, whose right hand was amputated while working as a machine operator, was granted by the ECC-Kagabay Program with below elbow prosthesis and underwent physical therapy at the Philippine General Hospital, is now into buying and selling of slimming tea products.

Deonard Vicera worked at Kea Industrial Corporation.  After three months of working as a machine operator, his two fingers were amputated which caused his separation from employment.   He underwent physical therapy at the PGH and was provided high definition cosmetic gloves to strengthen his hand.    He was re-hired by his previous company as machine operator.

These are only a few of the ECP beneficiaries.

For CY 2012, a total of 82 ODWs were provided with physical therapy and/or occupational therapy at the ECC accredited institutions such as PGH or Orthopaedic Hospital etc.  The ECC funded therapy amounted to P1, 127,630.00. Sixteen ODWs were provided with artificial prosthesis amounting to a total of P1, 056,930.00 and 100 ODWs were provided with livelihood courses and entrepreneurship training at the ECC accredited training institution.

The holistic approach adopted by the ECC in helping the ODWs gives life to its slogan “Higit pa sa benepisyo ang binibigay na serbisyo.”