vacation leave with pay of 30 days a year (or US$100.00 a month) or pro-rata. The total fixed monthly salary of respondent was US$2,100.00.   On April 16, 1997, he was deployed aboard M/V Aria in Bangkok, Thailand. During his employment, the master of the vessel sent respondent to the Centre Medical de Ngodi at Doula, Cameroon, where he was treated for three days due to the shooting pain in the lower extremities, particularly on his right foot. In the Medical Certificate6[6] dated June 19, 1997, the attending physician, Dr. R. Mongouè Tchouakẻ, stated that he diagnosed respondent's pain on the right foot as “sciatic neuralgia” and administered “[drips], injection, and acupuncture.” Respondent was declared not fit to work. The doctor recommended respondent’s repatriation to the Philippines for continuing treatment.   On June 21, 1997, respondent was repatriated to the Philippines. When he reported back to work, he was referred to the company physician, Dr. John H.E. Cusi who, in turn, referred him to Dr. Irene B. Roman-Igual, a neurologist at Makati Medical Center. On June 30, 1997, respondent was subjected to the Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan), which yielded the following results:   CT scan examination of the lumbosacral spine demonstrates a large disc herniation ventral and right lateral at the L5-S1 level encroaching into the right neural exit foramina. There is compression of the right nerve root at the same L5S1 level. 6[6] Id. at 64.