6/14/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly disassociation or independence. Thus, the qualifier "as a result of an accident" applies to both scenarios, not solely to its preceding phrase. Accordingly, the evident intention of the parties is to provide compensation only in case of an accident during the seafarer's employment. Considering that Alcid's permanent disability was caused by an illness, not an accident, he is not entitled to compensation under the CBA. Alcid is entitled to a sickness allowance and the reimbursement of his medical expenses, subject to a proper recomputation To reiterate, Section 20(B) of the 2000 POEA-SEC requires the employer to shoulder the seafarer's medical treatment after repatriation,[108] and to pay sickness allowance, [109] and disability benefit.[110] In The Late Alberto B. Javier, et al. v. Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc., et al.,[111] the Court explained the rationale behind each benefit and stressed that they constitute separate and distinct liabilities: In reading these provisions, the Court observes the evident intent of the POEA-SEC to treat these liabilities of the employer separately and distinctly from one another by treating the different items of liability under separate paragraphs. These individual paragraphs, in turn, show the bases of each liability that are unique from the others. This formulation is in keeping with the POEA's mandate under Executive Order No. 247 to 'secure the best terms and conditions of employment of Filipino contract workers and ensure compliance therewith' and to 'promote and protect the well-being of Filipino workers overseas.' Accordingly, Section 20-B (2), paragraph 2, of the POEA-SEC imposes on the employer the liability to provide, at its cost, for the medical treatment of the repatriated seafarer for the illness or injury that he suffered on board the vessel until the seafarer is declared fit to work or the degree of his disability is finally determined by the company-designated physician. This liability for medical expenses is conditioned upon the seafarer's compliance with his own obligation to report to the company-designated physician within three (3) days from his arrival in the country for diagnosis and treatment. The medical treatment is aimed at the speedy recovery of the seafarer and the restoration of his previous healthy working condition. Since the seafarer is repatriated to the country to undergo treatment, his inability to perform his sea duties would normally result in depriving him of compensation income. To address this contingency, Section 20-B (3), paragraph 1, of the POEA-SEC imposes on the employer the obligation to provide the seafarer with sickness allowance that is equivalent to his basic wage until the seafarer is declared fit to work or the degree of his permanent disability is determined by the company-designated physician. https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66892 14/23