The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) had inked a partnership with Mary May Malabanan Psychological Services to extend psychological support to workers in Region IV-A who suffered from work-related injuries or illnesses.

Through said partnership, ECC aims to extend additional support to survivors of work-related contingencies by providing free mental health-related services such as psychological and psychiatric assessment, counseling, and therapy. These are on top of the EC benefits and the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program services that may be granted to them such as physical therapy, assistive devices, and livelihood assistance.

“This partnership is a testament to ECC’s resolve to empower persons with work-related disabilities beyond physical rehabilitation. Considering that most of our clients are susceptible to trauma and depression, we believe that giving equal importance to their mental well-being will provide a great value in opening opportunities for them to return to the economic mainstream as healthy and productive individuals,” said Executive Director Kaima Via Velasquez.

The partnership also serves to strengthen ECC’s efforts in implementing its Return-to-Work Assistance Program (RTWAP) in the region. The RTWAP is an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation support that aims to facilitate PWRDs recovery and safe and timely return to employment.

Mental health disorders, although not listed in the ECC’s list of 33 occupational and work-related diseases, may also be filed under the EC program subject to the determination of its compensability under PD 626 as amended.

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J. Romasanta – REU 4A