June Valdez of Tarlac City is appreciative of the support and assistance of the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), which came in the wake of a vehicular accident in 2020 that left him with serious injuries and broken legs.
“Sa ngalan po ng buo kong pamilya, lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat po ng tulong na ibinigay po ng ECC. Hindi lang po sa pinansyal, kung hindi pati na rin po sa therapy na ibinigay nila sa akin,” Valdez said.
On June 26, 2020, around 3:00 o’clock AM, Valdez, a former engineering mechanical technician at Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc., figured in a car accident while going home from work. The accident resulted in numerous physical wounds and a bilaterally fractured leg bone, which required fusion of the ankle and restricted mobility.
The 50-year-old father of four said that it took him some time to adjust to his new circumstances because he was the family’s main provider and their sole source of income. He was therefore appreciative of the financial support and rehabilitation services granted by the ECC.
Valdez saw the ECC’s help and services as tremendously helpful in their day-to-day needs. “Malaki pong tulong sa amin ang mga benepisyong natanggap po namin. Doon po namin kinukuha ‘yung gastusin araw-araw sa bahay,” he shared.
In 2021, Valdez was awarded EC sickness benefits. He completed six sessions of physical therapy in 2022 at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Hospital, a partner hospital of the ECC, and received compensation for transportation and meals. In addition, he has been recommended to receive an assistive device to help him with his movement.
The ECC also provided him with a starter kit worth ₱20,000.00 through its Regional Extension Unit 3 in Central Luzon to assist him in establishing his rice retailing business in 2022. Before this, he received business training from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to prepare him for his endeavor and provide him with the skills he would need to run it.
The ECC awarded Valdez a complementary kit worth ₱10,000.00 in 2023 after he had effectively managed his business following the provision of the starter kit. This allowed him to grow his business and include frozen foods and a neighborhood variety store.
Valdez also encourages those with work-related disabilities, such as himself, to reach out to the ECC for assistance. “Huwag po silang mag-alinlangang lumapit sa ECC dahil sigurado pong makakatulong ng malaki ito para sa kanila na mabigyan din ng negosyo katulad ng naibigay po sa akin. Malaking tulong po iyon para sa kanila,” he remarked.
D. Lacson – REU 3