On September 7, 1998, Acting Executive Labor Arbiter Pedro C. Ramos dismissed respondent's complaint for permanent and total disability benefits, sickness wages and all other claims and, likewise, petitioners' counterclaim for damages, for lack of merit. The labor arbiter found that petitioners have substantially complied with all their obligations to   respondent under the POEA-approved employment contract. He debunked respondent's claim for permanent and total disability benefits because respondent had been duly proven and declared to be “fit to work” not only by the hospital of his choice, i.e., Philippine General Hospital, but also by the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC); that respondent withdrew his claim during the pendency of the proceedings, although with reservation to re-file the same; and that respondent is now on board M/V Luna Azul on an overseas deployment. He upheld the validity of the Receipt and Quitclaim executed by respondent and stated that respondent had received reimbursement of his medical expenses in the amount P4,896.50. He declared that respondent is no longer entitled to sickness wages as it would amount to double recovery of benefits, as provided for under Paragraph 11, Section 4 of the POEA Standard Employment Contract.   On May 25, 1999, the NLRC rendered a Decision which reversed and set aside the Decision of the labor arbiter. It ruled that respondent is entitled to sickness wages and to free medical and hospital treatment for the injury he sustained during the term of his contract, pursuant to Section C 4(b) and (c), Part II of the Standard Employment Contract Governing All Filipino Seamen On Board Ocean-Going Vessels, which obligates the employer to: (1) provide continuous medical treatment to the repatriated injured seaman until such time he is declared fit or the degree of his disability has been established by the company-designated