5/19/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly As such, the CA found no further need to discuss the nature of Salas' disability.[30] Salas' motion for reconsideration[31] was denied in a Resolution[32] dated May 14, 2019; hence, this petition. The Issue Before the Court The essential issue for the Court's resolution is whether or not the CA committed reversible error in upholding the finding that Salas is not entitled to total and permanent disability benefits. The Court's Ruling The petition is meritorious. Section 20 (A) of the 2010 POEA-SEC, which applied at the time Salas executed his employment contract with respondents, states that: SECTION 20. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS A. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR INJURY OR ILLNESS The liabilities of the employer when the seafarer suffers work-related injury or illness during the term of his contract are as follows: xxxx 2. x x x [I]f after repatriation, the seafarer still requires medical attention arising from said injury or illness, he shall be so provided at cost to the employer until such time he is declared fit or the degree of his disability has been established by the company-designated physician. 3. In addition to the above obligation of the employer to provide medical attention, the seafarer shall also receive sickness allowance from his employer in an amount equivalent to his basic wage computed from the time he signed off until he is declared fit to work or the degree of permanent disability has been assessed by the company-designated physician. The period within which the seafarer shall be entitled to his sickness allowance shall not exceed 120 days. Payment of the sickness allowance shall be made on a regular basis, but not less than once a month. xxxx For this purpose, the seafarer shall submit himself to a post-employment medical examination by a company-designated physician within three working days upon his return except when he is physically incapacitated to do so, in which case, a written notice to the agency within the same period is deemed as compliance. In the course of the treatment, the seafarer shall https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66379 4/10