To empower persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs), the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) in Northern Mindanao has awarded P20,000 worth of sari-sari store livelihood starter kits to three program beneficiaries. This initiative is part of the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program, which helps PWRDs in starting their own businesses and regaining financial independence.

The three beneficiaries, hailing from different provinces in Region 10, each have unique stories of how their disabilities have affected their lives and careers. Richard Harayo from Misamis Occidental, a former seaman, sustained a back fracture and a degenerative disc bulge in January 2023. This condition forced him to retire from being a seafarer. Another program beneficiary is Attrajie Samindih from Misamis Oriental, a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was a survivor of the tragic C-130 plane crash in July 2021 in Jolo, Sulu. He suffered multiple injuries, including fused fingers (syndactyly), burn scars around his eyelids, and ectropion (a condition where the lower eyelid turns outward). Samindih qualified for the EC livelihood program after receiving sickness benefits from the EC Program through GSIS. Another program beneficiary is Deck Franklin Saavedra from Bukidnon, a butcher at a slaughterhouse, was qualified under the KaGabay Program after losing part of his middle finger on his right hand in a traumatic injury in August 2023. Although he returned to his previous job, he is now considered to have a permanent partial disability.

The beneficiaries have already undergone livelihood training provided by ECC Region 10 and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board – X in April 2024. In January 2025, ECC Region 10 awarded P20,000 starter kits to Harayo and Saavedra, and in February 2025, to Samindih.

Jannah Batara, the person in charge of the KaGabay Program in Region 10, expressed optimism about the program’s impact, stating, “ECC looks forward to seeing their respective businesses thrive and uplift their overall quality of life.”

The KaGabay Program has proven to be an essential support system for workers with disabilities caused by work-related illnesses or accidents, offering assistance through livelihood starter kits to help them regain their independence. ECC Northern Mindanao encourages other workers with work-related disabilities to explore these opportunities and apply for available support programs to aid in their rehabilitation and livelihood.

 

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S. Obice – REU 10