4/4/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly refund for medical services that previously he was admittedly entitled to. The POEA Standard Employment Contract for Seamen is designed primarily for the protection and benefit of Filipino seamen in the pursuit of their employment on board ocean-going vessels. Its provisions must, therefore, be construed and applied fairly, reasonably and liberally in their favor. Only then can its beneficent provisions be fully carried into effect.[7] WHEREFORE, the petition is DISMISSED. The assailed decision of public respondent National Labor Relations Commission dated September 25, 1995 is AFFIRMED. Petitioner and Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation are ordered to pay jointly and severally the following amounts to private respondent Carlos Nietes: Twenty One Thousand US Dollars (US$21,000.00) or its peso equivalent at the time of actual payment, as disability benefits and P34,114.00 representing reimbursement of medical expenses, plus the costs of suit. SO ORDERED. Bellosillo (Chairman), Mendoza, Buena, and De Leon, Jr., JJ., concur. [1] 4. The liabilities of the employer when the seaman suffers injury or illness during the term of his contract are as follows: a) xxx b) xxx the employer should be liable for the full cost of such medical, dental, surgical and hospital treatment as well as board and lodging until the seaman is declared fit to work or to be repatriated. However, if after repatriation the seaman 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. c) The employer shall pay the seaman his basic wages from the time he leaves the vessel for medical treatment. After discharge from the vessel the seaman is entitled to one hundred percent (100%) of his basic wages until he is declared fit to work or the degree of permanent disability has been assessed by the company designated physician, but in no case shall this period exceed one hundred twenty (120) DAYS. For this purpose, the seaman shall submit himself to a post-employment medical examination by the 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. Failure of the seaman to comply with the mandatory reporting requirement shall result in his forfeiture of the right to claim the above benefits. https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/50425 5/6