A workplace explosion in Bukidnon left nine workers injured, but for four of them, recovery meant more than just healing. With the support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), the tragedy became an opportunity to start anew—reflecting the Marcos Administration’s broader push for greater empowerment and inclusivity in the labor force, especially for vulnerable and injured workers.
Recently, under its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program, the ECC in Northern Mindanao provided rehabilitation and entrepreneurial training to Ruel Curay and Richard Enriquez from the municipality of Don Carlos, as well as Junios Lastimosa and Juanito Sanchez, Jr., from the town of Maramag. This initiative was carried out in partnership with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board – Region X (RTWPB-X).
The injured workers also received ₱20,000 worth of livelihood starter kits to help them begin their sari-sari store, sugarcane farming, and rice retailing ventures as part of their recovery from the accident that caused burns to their bodies and faces.
The incident involving the nine injured workers in Bukidnon stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need to enforce occupational safety and health standards across all industries. According to the ECC, prevention remains the most effective way to protect Filipino workers from workplace accidents.
The Department, together with the ECC, continues to champion the well-being, productivity, and livelihood of Filipino workers—not just through compensation, but through their sustained commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
