Rexan Galvez, 44, was on his way to work as a janitor at the Dangerous Drugs Board in Quezon City on July 7, 2014. He was about to board a public utility jeepney along C-4 Road when another jeepney suddenly hit him from behind, severely damaging his left leg.

Galvez was confined for two weeks in the hospital and was not able to go back to work since then. He depends solely on the income of his wife, Elisa, who also works as a janitress. It bothers him because their two children still depend on them financially.

Galvez explained that although his agency and the office where he works assisted them with his hospitalization and medicines, being unemployed has greatly affected their lives.

Fortunately, Elisa used to work at the Occupational Safety and Health Center as a janitress. She knew that they can avail benefits from the Employees’ Compensation Commission.

Galvez received P24,000 or P200 for 120 days as a temporary total disability or sickness benefit; P3,427 monthly pension for 46 months or equivalent to P157,642 as his permanent partial disability benefit; and P575 /month for 46 months or a total of P26, 450 as carer’s allowance.

He also received 8 sessions of physical therapy worth P3,200; transportation allowance of P1,125 during his therapy sessions; a pylon tube of left foot and above-the-knee leg prosthesis worth P50,000; another 8 sessions of therapy after installation of his prosthesis leg; and another transportation allowance of P1,125 for his second batch of 8  therapy sessions.

Galvez will also avail a free short course seminar under the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

“Because of the benefits I received and still receiving from the ECC, I am no longer worried about our daily expenses. The prosthesis also helped me feel somewhat complete again because of the comfort it brings compared to the crutches I was using. I am also looking forward to working again. My former agency promised me that they would re-hire me once I get my prosthesis from the ECC. Masasabi ko talaga na hindi ako pinabayaan ng ECC. Maraming salamat sa ECC,” Galvez expressed.

To date, Galvez has received a total of P266,742 worth of ECP benefits and services.

ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis stated that the ECC continues to improve its programs and benefits to make sure that persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) will get adequate support from the government.

“We understand what our PWRDs are going through, that is exactly why we keep on advancing our programs and benefits,” Banawis stated.

Banawis, however, encourages employers and employees to practice good occupational safety and health, which is fundamental to public health. Employers should comply with OSH standards to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for employees. On the other hand, employees should also take reasonable care of their own health and safety.

 

“I would like to emphasize that prevention is better than compensation. The ECC provides benefits for work-related incidents but good practices in OSH foster a better and healthier community,” explained Banawis.