Cebu City – “Dako kaayong natabang ang gihatag sa Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) labi na ang starter kit nga beinte mil para puhonan og tindahan kay ang halin gikumpra namo balik. Nalipay kaayo ko kay kusog kaayo ang ako tindahan ron. Sa wala pa ni kay mo extra ra ko og pamasol para pakaon sa akong pamilya (ECC greatly helped me, especially when they provided me with a starter kit amounting to ₱20,000.00 to set up a sari-sari store.  I am happy because my business is doing good now.  Before this, I only go fishing to provide food for my family),” said Francis Ariel Soco, a laborer of Philmacro Development Corp., in Cebu City.

On July 17, 2019, Soco was electrocuted when the shovel he used in mixing a cement hit a live wire.  He was rushed to the hospital. On August 5, 2019, he underwent below elbow amputation.

Soco filed a claim at the Social Security System (SSS) Cebu branch. He was granted SSS and EC sickness/Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits and Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits.  He was also provided with rehabilitation services.

Aside from disability benefits, Soco has been a beneficiary of the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program. He received transportation and meal allowance worth ₱5,500.00.  On March 25, 2022, ECC granted Soco a starter kit worth ₱20,000.00 to set up his own sari-sari store. Currently, he is awaiting his below elbow prosthesis that will be given for free under the KaGabay Program.

I. Yumang – REU7