A 50-hectare rehabilitation center for workers suffering from work-related injuries will be established in Tanay, Rizal, with completion set for 2027, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the Workers' Rehabilitation Center Complex (WRCC) will provide vital rehabilitation services to workers injured in workplace accidents, supporting their recovery and reintegration into the workforce.
"This project responds to workers affected by work-related injuries. Our aim is to help those who have sustained accidents, lost a part of their body, or suffered injuries recover and return to meaningful work," Laguesma said.
The WRCC is a collaborative effort between DOLE, the Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC), and several government agencies, including the Tanay municipal government, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The center will offer a comprehensive range of rehabilitation services, including medical and vocational rehabilitation, physiotherapy, work hardening, reskilling, prosthetics, and livelihood programs.
Beyond medical care, the WRCC will feature facilities to support workers' recovery and reintegration.
These include a hostel, a sports arena, a worker’s training center, housing projects under DHSUD, an agritourism center, a pineapple plantation, a botanical garden, and a commercial hub—all aimed at providing economic opportunities for workers with disabilities caused by work-related incidents.
"The financial resources for this project will come from the state insurance fund managed by the Employees' Compensation Commission through its investment arms, the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)," Laguesma explained.
The WRCC will be the first of its kind in the Philippines, catering to both private and public sector workers and offering essential support to help them rebuild their lives and contribute to the economy.
"Our goal is to make workplaces safe and prevent accidents, though we acknowledge that some incidents are unavoidable. We are committed to assisting workers in returning to their jobs. This initiative is not just for the private sector but for government workers as well," Laguesma added.