Injured seafarer receives social benefit from OWWA-12

By Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Tuesday 19th of February 2013

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- Last July 20, 2012, seafarer Larry Yangyang, a deckhand of the Orient Star LLP suffered from an injury in his left index finger which resulted to his immediate repatriation.

In an incident report, Kier Bremer, a skipper of the Orient Star LLP said, "Larry was then watching and making sure the net will not be broken. As he was trying to pull the net, his left index finger was accidentally caught in a net drum which resulted to its injury."

After being pulled out from his workplace, Yangyang was confined on July 11, 2012 at Sagrada Corazon Medical and Allied Services Center, Inc. in Ermita, Manila.

Dr. Gerardo R. Wenceslao, general and cancer surgeon, said that Yangyang, "In the meantime, he is not yet fit to work," in a medical report dated October 18, 2012.

Since Mr. Yangyang was able to update his membership in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, he was qualified to receive Disability and Dismemberment benefit under Social Benefits Service of the agency.

Under this, the seafarer was able to receive a check amounting to P7,500 representing social benefit from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office 12.

An OWWA member OFW may receive disability/dismemberment benefit of up to P100,000 for injuries while working abroad. (ORVR-PIA12/Giovanni Docusin- OWWA-12)