The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), through its regional extension unit 3 in Central Luzon, helped persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) in Central Luzon become entrepreneurs on February 14, 2024 at the ECC office in Pampanga.

In order to provide them with the necessary business acumen to launch and manage the businesses that they will establish, fourteen (14) PWRDs took part in an entrepreneurial training program. The ECC, in collaboration with the Department of Trade in Industry (DTI) – Pampanga Office, helped the participants gain knowledge about the appropriate procedures for launching an enterprise and several approaches to guarantee its sustainability.

The PWRDs were also made aware of the DTI programs that will help them further in running their enterprises.

The participants conveyed their appreciation to the ECC for their help and pledged to make sure that the livelihood aid continues to provide a stable source of income for their families. Along with receiving livelihood training, the PWRDs will also receive ₱20,000.00 worth of starter kits, which they can use as startup capital for their businesses.

The livelihood training and starter kit are components of the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program, which seeks to provide additional guidance and support to employees who have suffered from illnesses or injuries related to their jobs that have resulted in disabilities. Apart from livelihood support, the KaGabay Program offers free therapy sessions, free assistive devices, and free skills training. These are in addition to the standard benefits offered by ECC, which include income benefits, medical benefits, and benefits for death and funeral.

Twenty PWRDs in Central Luzon got livelihood support from the ECC in 2023. In the same year, sixteen (16) PWRDs received therapy sessions from the ECC through its regional extension unit via partner hospitals in Central Luzon.

The ECC continues to improve its programs and services to better serve workers and their beneficiaries by providing appropriate help and benefits. Furthermore, as part of its information-dissemination drive, the Commission keeps fortifying its alliance with other agencies and companies. Last month, the ECC participated in the Araw ng mga Kasambahay celebrations organized by the Department of Labor and Employment in Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan, where the EC Program was discussed with household employees and their employers.

 

D. Lacson – REU 3