The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) in Northern Mindanao begins 2024 by awarding a person with work-related disability (PWRD) in Misamis Oriental, a livelihood complementary kit through the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.
Edcel Ladores, residing in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, is one of the resilient beneficiaries of the EC program. While working as a plant operator at a global company in Misamis Oriental known for providing activated carbon and filtration solutions, he experienced a major industrial accident in March 2017, resulting in the amputation of four fingers on his left hand due to a machine mishap. With the help of their human resource officer, he received sickness and disability benefits under the Social Security System (SSS) and the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program. Despite the challenges he faced due to the accident, he was fortunate enough to return to his job.
In March 2019, Ladores went to ECC Northern Mindanao Office in Cagayan de Oro City to inquire about the benefits and services offered by the EC Program (ECP). During this visit, he discovered that he was qualified for the KaGabay Program which facilitates the integration of PWRDs into the economic mainstream through physical restoration, training for reemployment or self-entrepreneurship. While waiting for ECC’s livelihood training, he showed his dedication to skill development by attending a Basic Hog Raising Seminar in April 2019 organized by a private company. In May 2019, he participated in a comprehensive livelihood training program covering Social Preparation, ISTIV Bayanihan, Financial Literacy, and Simple Bookkeeping organized by ECC and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-10 (RTWPB-10).
In February 2021, Ladores received a cosmetic hand prosthesis worth ₱110,000.00 from ECC, greatly improving his well-being. ECC’s help continued in April 2022, wherein Ladores was awarded with a ₱20,000.00 livelihood starter kit, enabling him to start a hog-raising business by buying four piglets, vitamins, and feeds. The impact of these initiatives has been profound, supplementing his monthly income and enabling him to meet his family’s basic needs and financial obligations.
Being able to sustain the livelihood given to him by ECC, and with hard work and determination, he was awarded a complementary kit worth ₱10,000.00 on January 10, 2024. This gesture not only acknowledges his achievements but also signifies the success of ECC’s KaGabay Program in making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals overcoming adversity.
Expressing his gratitude, Ladores said, “Nagpasalamat ko ug dako sa ECC kay dako ilang natabang sa ako ug sa uban pang panginahanglan. Ilabi na sa inyong gihatag nga pang puhonan og sa libre nga paghatag sa prosthesis. Hinaot unta nga daghan pa inyong matabangan, Daghang salamat ECC.” (I am truly grateful to ECC for their significant assistance with my needs, especially for the livelihood kits and providing the prosthesis for free. I hope you can help many others too. Thank you, ECC).
S. Obice – REU 10