Davao City – The Employees’ Compensation Commission granted assistive device in the form of prosthesis to its six beneficiaries who were victims of work-related contingencies on September 21, 2018 at Department of Labor and Employment XI.
Jeffrey Albelda, Junekey Sinining, Joshua Bunhayag, Marlito Vital, Lenny Abarquez and Flora Mae Degamon received different parts of the body which they lost due to an accident in relation to the work that they performed in the workplace. The Commission spent more than Php 700, 000 in its continuing pursuit to make every amputated worker feels complete again. Respectively, the prosthetic devices cost Php 154, 000, Php 77, 000, Php 168, 000, Php 147, 000, Php 119, 000, and Php 102, 200.
The grant of assistive devices to the beneficiaries is in pursuance to the KAGABAY Program of the Commission that seeks to restore the self-esteem that is clearly lost after a worker becomes amputated.
Mr. Albelda, a former machine operator of HLPM Plastic Corporation, remarked during the awarding that the device has greatly contributed in regaining his confidence. “There’s big difference in my feeling now that I am wearing this prosthesis because I would now appear complete to the sight of others.” he said.
“I am thankful to ECC for providing me this functional prosthesis that can help me do any industry.” Mr. Bunhayag, a recipient of Functional Below Elbow Prosthesis, stated during his “thank you” speech. He pointed out that he could not have felt physically complete again had it not for the program of Employees’ Compensation Commission taking into account the cost of the device.
ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis assured the beneficiaries of their due benefits under the programs of the Commission. “It has been the primordial mission of ECC to provide immediate aide for victims of work-related cases. Most especially, the Commission is providing them the opportunity to continue being productive economically through its Return to Work Program.” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries were also grantees of Physical or Occupational Therapy, Skills & Entrepreneurial Trainings, and Livelihood kits as part of the Kagabay Program of ECC.
