The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) on November 27, 2013, inked an agreement with Southern Luzon Hospital & Medical Center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and the Calamba Medical Center located at Real, Calamba, Laguna for the provision of rehabilitation services and/or medical interventions for occupationally-disabled workers (ODWs) under the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

Partnership with hospitals in Region IV-A is envisioned to provide ODWs residing in the area an easy access to rehabilitation services. Both hospitals are equipped with facilities necessary for the provision of rehabilitation services of ODWs who suffered work-related contingencies. To further strengthen the tie-up, the SSS Calamba Branch Office is giving its full support to the program by assuring the ECC and the hospitals their prompt evaluation of EC claims to enable the ODWs to be provided with rehab services at the soonest possible time.

In her brief remarks during the signing ceremony, Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis took the opportunity to thank the top officials of the hospitals for the opportunity to partner with ECC in the rehabilitation of ODWs. She also gave a background about the other initiatives that the ECC is undertaking involving hospitals. She emphasized that partner hospitals play a significant role in assisting the ECC in identifying work-related cases as part of the ECC Quick Response Program.

Present during the contract signing were CEO Dr. Jose O. Juliano; Marketing/Medical Director Dr. Jose Enrico G. Juliano and other senior officials of the hospitals, Executive Director Banawis and Dr. Melba Y. Sacro for the ECC, and Dr. Macabeo Villaflor representing the SSS Calamba Branch Office.