A vehicular accident in Lunao, Gingoog City resulted to the permanent and total disability of Kris L. Salga, an office encoder of Fresh Fruits Ingredients Inc. (FFII) in Medina, Misamis Oriental.

In the early morning of February 22, 2012, Salga was leaving for work when a dump truck swept down the public transportation she was riding. This caused the vehicle to fall on a short cliff. After spending two months in a hospital in Cagayan de Oro, she was forced to go home since her family had no more money to pay the hospital bills. The accident left the sole breadwinner of a very poor family with a brain injury, difficulty in speaking, and inability to walk by herself.

On 10 June 2014, the Caraga Regional Extension Unit of the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) reached out to Salga and offered her free physical therapy, with transportation and meal allowance under the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang May Kapansanan or KaGabay Program.

After a few months, Salga made a lot of progress. Her speech has progressed well; she can walk on her own; and do several household chores. With several PT sessions on the way, her family is hoping for full recovery in no time.

“We could not believe that Kris will be able to walk on her own again. We are so thankful to ECC for all the assistance it has provided. We never thought Kris will be better again.” Rosario Salga, mother of Kris said,

 “The Katulong at Gabay ng Manggagawang May Kapansanan or KaGabay is a part of the rehabilitation services offered by the ECC for workers with disabilities, as a result of work-connected sickness or injury. Through the KaGabay Program, qualified workers with work-connected disabilities are evaluated and referred to various institutions for appropriate rehabilitation services which includes physical restoration, or the provision of physical and occupational therapy, prosthesis, and assistive devices, and livelihood or vocational training to help persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) achieve functional independence and become economically productive as they enter the mainstream,” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.

Road Safety

 The ECC chief calls on motorists to be more careful when they are on the road.

“Most accidents are preventable. Driving with caution saves not only the life of the driver and his passengers but also of those persons who might get involved once an accident takes place,” Banawis said.

She also added that when a worker figures in a road accident and get injured, he or she gets robbed of his ability to be productive.

“Although workers or their dependents can expect compensation from the ECC in the event of work-related injury or illness,” Banawis said, “we put a bigger emphasis on promoting safety in the workplace as prevention is always better than compensation and rehabilitation. Prevention of workplace accidents and diseases should be of utmost concern as the health and safety of our workers is our primary consideration”.The Employees’ Compensation Commission celebrated its 40^th founding anniversary in an eco-friendly manner by planting Cupang nurseries at the Lamesa Eco Park in Quezon City.

ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis explained that it has been an annual tradition of ECC to plant nurseries and trees. Since ECC is celebrating another milestone, such activity has been part of the weeklong anniversary celebration. ECC celebrates nature as it celebrates its 40^th year of existence.

“Planting trees and nurseries symbolizes the commitment of ECC to support in revitalizing the ecosystem of the country,” added Banawis.

Other activities during the 40^th anniversary celebration were: photo exhibit at the ECC lobby featuring the significant events of the Commission in 40 years, ECP in-house seminars conducted all over the Philippines by Regional Extension Units, nutritional research program for persons with work-related disabilities, film showing and wellness program for ECC employees.

The Employees’ Compensation Commission celebrated its 40^th founding anniversary in an eco-friendly manner by planting Cupang nurseries at the Lamesa Eco Park in Quezon City.

ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis explained that it has been an annual tradition of ECC to plant nurseries and trees. Since ECC is celebrating another milestone, such activity has been part of the weeklong anniversary celebration. ECC celebrates nature as it celebrates its 40^th year of existence.

“Planting trees and nurseries symbolizes the commitment of ECC to support in revitalizing the ecosystem of the country,” added Banawis.

Other activities during the 40^th anniversary celebration were: photo exhibit at the ECC lobby featuring the significant events of the Commission in 40 years, ECP in-house seminars conducted all over the Philippines by Regional Extension Units, nutritional research program for persons with work-related disabilities, film showing and wellness program for ECC employees.

The Employees’ Compensation Commission celebrated its 40^th founding anniversary in an eco-friendly manner by planting Cupang nurseries at the Lamesa Eco Park in Quezon City.

ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis explained that it has been an annual tradition of ECC to plant nurseries and trees. Since ECC is celebrating another milestone, such activity has been part of the weeklong anniversary celebration. ECC celebrates nature as it celebrates its 40^th year of existence.

“Planting trees and nurseries symbolizes the commitment of ECC to support in revitalizing the ecosystem of the country,” added Banawis.

Other activities during the 40^th anniversary celebration were: photo exhibit at the ECC lobby featuring the significant events of the Commission in 40 years, ECP in-house seminars conducted all over the Philippines by Regional Extension Units, nutritional research program for persons with work-related disabilities, film showing and wellness program for ECC employees.