The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), through its Regional Extension Unit in Central Luzon (REU3), awarded livelihood starter kits worth Php 20,000 on June 22, 2020 to 32 workers who suffered from work-related contingencies as part of the Commission’s Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.
The KaGabay Program, a special economic assistance program for persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) who lost employment by reason of work-related sickness or injury, aims to help PWRDs re-integrate into the economic mainstream through rehabilitation services, skills training, and livelihood assistance.
Jhunhay Zulueta, a machine operator of HLD Clark Steel Pipe Corporation and one of the beneficiaries of the starter kits, used the Php 20,000 to buy a sewing machine and other materials to kick start a sewing business which they use to create children’s clothes and face masks.
“Kumikita na po kami at nagagamit namin sa pang-araw-araw. Malaking tulong po talaga ang ECC sa amin. Maraming salamat po,” said Zulueta.
Another beneficiary of the livelihood assistance, Israel Cortez, a machine operator of Calfurn Manufacturing Philippines, Inc, also relayed his thanks to ECC for the monetary help and training provided to set up his sari-sari store.
“Nais ko pong ipaabot ang taos pusong pasasalamat ko sa inyong pinagkaloob. Isang malaking bagay para sa akin at sa aking pamilya ang pinagkaloob po ninyong kabuhayan. Dahil dito, makakapagsimula po kami ng maliit na negosyo at sisikapin namin itong mapalago,” he said.
Roel Soriano, who works as a painter at HLD Clark Steel Pipe Corporation, is also one of the recipients of the starter kit worth Php 20,000 which he used to start his printing business.
“Malaking tulong po sa amin ang binigay ninyo na pampuhunan. Kahit sa umpisa ay mahirap, sisikapin po naming mapalago ang binigay ninyo sa amin,” he said.
Prior to the granting of the starter kits, the workers underwent a livelihood seminar organized by ECC-REU3 titled Starting and Managing a Small Business which was held last January 31 at the DOLE Clark Training Room, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. Janyn Lyza Malig, business counselor from DTI, shared her know-hows on setting up a business based on their interest and existing opportunities. Officer-in-Charge and Senior Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE Clark Satellite Office, Jose Roberto Navata, also graced the seminar to inform the workers of their rights and benefits under the General Labor Standards.
Through the KaGabay Program, ECC has provided access to livelihood opportunities and helped PWRDs start their businesses. More than 400 workers who suffered from work-related contingencies were awarded starter kits totaling to more than 8.7 million in 2019.
“This year, we continue to strengthen our services as we provide more livelihood opportunities to our PWRDs in our mission to assist them in their return to the economic mainstream and their desire to gain new competencies. We will strive harder in promoting their welfare and ensure their gainful employment and success as entrepreneurs,” said ECC’s Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis.