The Employees’ Compensation Commission Regional Extension Unit 3 (ECC-REU3) together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 3, gives away starter kits and livelihood assistance to four persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) in Central Luzon last June 2016.
Arnold Mallari, Alejandro Paredes, Celso Alejado and Wilfredo Trinidad who reside from different provinces of Central Luzon received starter kits, in the form of canteen and sari-sari store supplies worth P10, 000.00 each.
The said PWRDs received EC disability benefits and were granted free physical and occupational therapy under the Employees’ Compensation Program.
After the therapy, they attended a business training dubbed as “Insipring Individuals to become Businessperson” organized by the ECC-REU3 in partnership with the DTI-Pampanga and the BSP San Fernando to ensure the proper management of their business.
The livelihood assistance was facilitated by the ECC through its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan or KAGABAY Program which also provides training fees and transportation and meal allowance to the beneficiaries.
Alejandro Paredes, one of the beneficiaries, who had his left arm amputated due to a work-related accident said, “Hindi ako pinabayaan ng ECC mula ng maaksidente ako hanggang ngayon na makakapagsimula na ako ng sarili kong business.”
ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said, “Through convergence programs, PWRDs easily access the programs and services implemented by Department of Labor and Employment and other government and private institutions.”
“We would like to emphasize that prevention of workplace accidents and diseases is better than compensation and rehabilitation. It should be the topmost priority of everyone, employees and employers. The ECC provides benefits as well as rehabilitation services so that the PWRD can return to the socio-economic mainstream but good practices in OSH provide a better and healthier community.” Banawis added.
End/ Coco Chanel Garcia, Administrative Officer II, ECC REU 3