Davao City—The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), through its Regional Extension Unit No. 11 (REU-11), and the Southern Philippines Medical are extending their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will provide rehabilitation services to persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) under the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

“The MOA paves the way for the realization of ECC’s objective of providing an easy access to rehabilitation services and facilities for persons with work-related disabilities in the city of Davao and nearby provinces.” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.

Under the MOA, Southern Philippines Medical Center will render physical restoration, rehabilitation services, or medical intervention to PWRDs referred by the ECC.

“These services are free of charge for the PWRDs,” Banawis added.

“On our end, part of our commitment is to continually improve our facilities in order to provide quality service for our patients especially for PWRDs under the coverage of ECC’S KaGabay Program” Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega, the President of SPMC, stated.

Since 2013, Southern Philippines Medical Center has assisted 14 Persons with Work-related Disabilities (PWRDs) who have already undergone physical and occupational therapy and other medical services. “It is an honor that SPMC has been reposed with ECC’s trust to cater the needs of every PWRD.” Dr. Vega added.

“The partnership forged by ECC and SPMC has been very beneficial to Persons with Work-Related Disability like me who cannot financially support my need for physical therapy after I became disabled due to a work-related vehicular accident.” Vergelio Dayon, a former security guard, comments. He added that Southern Philippine Medical Center effectively carries out its commitment towards PWRDs.

Eleuterio Naraga, a former electrician of Alcantara and Sons Corp., is currently undergoing a physical therapy session for his fractured left knee in SPMC through the ECC- KaGabay Program. He emphasized the significance of ECC’s partnership with SPMC. “The partnership spares me from spending so much by having to go to private hospitals for my therapy.”  Mr. Eleuterio said.

Workers who were awarded disability benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Program are qualified to become beneficiaries of the ECC’s KaGabay Program. Among the benefits of the program is the provision of free rehabilitation services to PWRDs by ECC’s partner hospital, including provision of rehabilitation appliances.

By:

 

Albert Bantan, ECC REU 11 Information Officer II