financial reverses, the separation pay shall be equivalent to one (1) month pay or to at least one-half (1/2) month pay for every year of service, whichever is higher. A fraction of at least six (6) months shall be considered one (1) whole year." "Art. 284. Disease as ground for termination. – An employer may terminate the services of an employee who has been found to be suffering from any disease and whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his health as well as to the health of his co-employees: Provided, that he is paid separation pay equivalent to at least one (1) month salary or to one-half month salary for every year or service, whichever is greater, a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one (1) whole year." 28 29 Paguio Transport Corp. v. NLRC, supra; Caurdanetaan Piece Workers Union v. Laguesma, supra; Vinta Maritime Co., Inc. v. NLRC, supra; Anino v. NLRC, 352 Phil. 1098, May 21, 1998. 30 Solid Homes, Inc. v. CA, 341 Phil. 261, 280, July 8, 1997. 31 Pakistan International Airlines Corp. v. Ople, 190 SCRA 90, 99, September 28, 1990, per Feliciano, J. (cited in Bernardo v. NLRC, 369 Phil. 443, July 12, 1999; Magsalin v. National Organization of Working Men, 403 SCRA 199, May 9, 2003). 32 Asia World Recruitment, Inc. v. NLRC, 371 Phil. 745, August 24, 1999. 33 Vinta Maritime Co., Inc. v. NLRC, supra. 34 Pascua v. NLRC, supra; Nueva Ecija I Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. NLRC, 380 Phil. 44, January 24, 2000. 35 Cruz v. NLRC, 381 Phil. 775, February 7, 2000 (cited in Asia Pacific Chartering (Phils.), Inc. v. Farolan, 441 Phil. 776, December 4, 2002). 36 Labor Arbiter Joel S. Lustria’s Decision, pp. 9-12; rollo, pp. 70-73. (Citations omitted) 37 PNCC v. NLRC, 342 Phil. 769, August 11, 1997.