Heart Disease; and, that the employees compensation law is social
legislation and, hence, it should be interpreted liberally in favor of the
worker; and to substantiate these allegations, he submitted the
Certifications issued by the Department of Health, to the effect that
the Records Management and Archives Office, including all (Medical
Services) Divisions, is found to be exposed to chemical hazard, in
performing its actual duties and responsibilities; [ 6 ] that all the
employees of the Records Management and Archives Office at
T.M. Kalaw St., Manila are at risk of developing respiratory illnesses
due to their direct/indirect exposure to dust, biological hazards (such
as fungi, yeast, etc.) producing noxious odor emanating from ancient
files/vends which are preserved; that they are exposed to chemicals
usually used as preservatives; [ 7 ] and, that the employees of the Records
Management and Archives Office, Region XI, Davao City are at
risk/danger to their health and safety due to the following
findings/observations:
1. Risk from exposure to dangerous, noxious odors/toxic chemicals/
gas in the conduct of processing, pressuring and fumigation of old
files and records; and,
2. Risk from exposure to biological hazards and other substances
like dust, molds, ticks, silver fish and other insect and vectors
located in the ill-ventilated and cramped workplace. [ 8 ]
A review of the findings of facts of the CA and the agencies a
quo fails to show that the respondent discharged his burden of proof,
under the measure of substantial evidence, that his working conditions
increased the risk of contracting Rheumatic Heart Disease. In
particular, the records show no medical information establishing the
etiology of Rheumatic Heart Disease that would enable this Court to
evaluate whether there is causal relation between the respondents
employment and his illness.