The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), through its Kagabay Program, has given free arm prosthesis to an Occupationally Disabled Worker (ODW) in Cagayan de Oro City.

Noel Edanio, 25, is a Local Boiler Unit Operator in Del Monte Philippines, Inc. On May 2012, he accidentally troubleshoots the wrong rotary feeder of the boiler causing his hand to be caught by the feeder and resulted to injury. His left arm was amputated due to the accident.

Through the site inspection of Department of Labor and Employment, ECC in Region 10 was able to get the details of the accident and contacted Edanio to further facilitate his EC Claims.

Luckily, Edanio was retained by DMPI and reassign him to clerical works. Upon receiving the sickness benefit from EC, Edanio was then advised by ECC to undergo physical therapy through the KaGabay Program. The program offers free physical therapy for occupationally-disabled workers.

In partnership with Northern Mindanao Medical Center Rehabilitation Department, Edanio was able to undergo physical therapy for 10 sessions. And as recommended, he will be able to avail the other benefit of KaGabay Program which is to give free appliances to ODWs. On Edanio’s case, he is recommended to be given arm prosthesis.

And on July 22, 2013, Edanio was finally given above elbow prosthesis at ECC in Makati City. Together with this good news, he was also promoted by DMPI as Mechanic Planner. After adjusting to his new position, he will avail the free technical vocational course which is sponsored again by ECC.

The Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan or KAGABAY is a special economic assistance program which offers physical restoration, skills training or entrepreneurship training to occupationally-disabled workers.