ECC sets aside P600M for EC pensioners

MANILA, Philippines — The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) has set aside P600 million for its one-time financial assistance for 31,000 pensioners in both the private and public sector.

This comes after President Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 39 on Monday, approving the one-time financial assistance of P20,000 to all Employees Compensation (EC) pensioners upon the recommendation of the ECC.

READ: Duterte okays P20,000 one-time assistance to EC pensioners

According to ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis, all qualified pensioners do not need to apply to GSIS or SSS anymore, as the assistance will be automatically granted to them in the same manner their pension was processed.

“Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission continues to live out its mandate of providing an appropriate and responsive package of benefits to all Filipino workers who suffer work-related contingencies,” Banawis said.

Aside from the one-time financial assistance, ECC also extended the payment deadline for remittance of EC contributions and expedited the processing of claims of workers for diseases acquired in the line of duty during pandemics and outbreaks.

ECC also moved for the granting of three-month advance EC pension, the interruption of the prescriptive period for the filing of EC claims during the pandemic, Epidemic or Public Health Emergency and Other Fortuitous Events, and the Granting of EC Funeral Benefit to the Qualified Beneficiaries of Covered Members Who Died of Work-Related Causes Despite the Absence of Proof of Expenses for Funeral Services.

The agency also issued the Policy on Compensability of Disability or Death due to Injuries Sustained by Employees in the Public and Private Sectors While in the Performance of their Duties or Assigned Tasks in their Residences or Dwelling Places, and Granting of Compensation under P.D. no. 626, as Amended, to all Covered-Members and/or their Qualified Beneficiaries in the Event of Disability or Death Due to Inoculation under Republic Act No. 11525 (COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021).

Banawis also assured the public that the ECC will continue to look for ways to further make the program more relevant and responsive.

RELATED STORY

Duterte okays P20,000 one-time assistance to EC pensioners