Antonio Cajalne, a former seafarer who met a work-related accident, shows his ₱10,000-worth complementary kit granted by ECC under its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

A former seafarer who met an accident at work was able to start his small business with the entrepreneurship training and livelihood kit provided by the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) under its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

Antonio Cajalne figured in an accident while in the performance of his duty as a crane operator aboard a ship in September 2017. He was diagnosed with a disc bulge and minor degenerative anterolisthesis and underwent spine surgery in January 2018. Consequently, he retired at the age of 60, after thirty-eight years of being a seafarer.

On 28 June 2021, ECC granted a complimentary kit worth ₱10, 000.00 to Cajalne for the augmentation of his home-based dishwashing soap business, a ₱20,000.00 – worth livelihood starter kit which was also previously granted by ECC in March 2020. Cajalne and his wife had since been making, selling, and delivering dishwashing liquid and perfumes from their home.

“Malaking tulong ang mga proyekto ng ECC sa kagaya naming seaman na nadisgrasya at na-disable. Maraming salamat sa livelihood program at training niyo na binahagi sa akin. Malaking tulong sa akin at sa aking pamilya,” said Cajalne.

Prior to being granted livelihood kits, Cajalne was provided with free physical therapy sessions at the Philippine General Hospital from September to November 2018 and underwent a seminar on how to start a business and simple bookkeeping from the Department of Science and Technology under the ECC-KaGabay Program. He was also awarded his EC sickness and disability benefits and received cash assistance worth ₱10 000.

J. Romasanta – REU4A