“Pauwi na ako noon galing ng meeting nang maasidente ako,” said Domingo A. Serona, Jr., 57, a resident of Barangay Urayong, Bauang, La Union, as he recalled an accident he met almost two years ago.

As regional distributor manager of Mas Foods Corporation, Serona attended a cycle meeting held at their central office on March 27, 2018 which ended up late.

On the morning of March 28, 2018, while on his way home, Serona’s vehicle was hit by another vehicle along NLEX at Barangay Sapalibutad, Angeles City. As a result thereof, he sustained head injuries and was transported to the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center.

Serona filed his EC claim at the Social Security System (SSS) San Fernando branch. He was granted EC temporary total disability benefit in the amount of Php 29,000.00 and medical benefits amounting to Php 63,319.67.

Since Serona’s EC claim was approved, he is also automatically entitled to the benefits under the ECC KaGabay Program.

The KaGabay Program provides special assistance to persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) aimed at facilitating their re-integration into the economic mainstream either through vocational skills training or through entrepreneurial training and assistance in the setting-up of micro enterprise or home-based business.

The program also provides rehabilitation services (occupational or physical therapy) and rehabilitation appliances to PWRDs.

Serona enrolled to the KaGabay Program and said “I am interested to set-up a ‘pasalubong’ center in our area as additional income to our grape farm business.”

EC claims are filed with the SSS for those in the private sector and with the GSIS for those in the public sector.

The Employees’ Compensation Commission is a government corporation attached to the Department of Labor and Employment for policy coordination and guidance.

ECC is mandated to provide workers with sickness benefits, medical, and other benefits, in the event of work-related sickness, injury or death.

REU 1 – Dexter Dupagan