Government compensation programs for employees explained

MANILA, Philippines— The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), an agency attached to the Department of Labor and Employment, explained to the listeners of “Isyu ng Bayan” on Radyo Inquirer early Sunday the benefits the people can avail from them.

Cecilia Maulion, head of the Information and Public Assistance Division of the ECC, said through its Employees Compensation Program, the ECC continues to give financial assistance to employees, whether they’re working for the government or in the private sectors, affected by calamities or disabled because of natural causes, besides the help given by other government arms like the Social Security System and the Government Services and Insurance System.

Maulion told co-anchors Liza Soriano and Ricky Brozas even Overseas Filipino Workers can avail of the benefits as well as surviving relatives or loved ones of the actual beneficiaries.

She cited the case of Maritess Navarro, surviving spouse of a missing security guard assigned at Bubunawan Hydropower Plant in Bukidnon who was given P10,000 as funeral benefits under ECP.

“Aside from the amount, the deceased’s family will receive a monthly death benefit pension for the security guard’s work-connected death,”), she said.

Based on earlier reports, the hydropower plant was one of the establishments hit by Typhoon Sendong wherein 10 workers died. Only one body was found and the other nine are still missing.

Under ECC Board Resolution 93-08-0068 on August 5, 1993, the provision on presumptive death provides that: “If one is declared presumptively dead after he had been reported missing for some time, payment of death benefits shall be reckoned from the date he was declared presumably dead by proper authority, in accordance with law; except when the declaration of death specified another date, in such a case, with law; except when the declaration of death specified another date, in such a case, payment of death benefits shall start from the latter date; and in spite of the fact that the body of a missing person had not been recovered, and that no burial activities had been undertaken, the beneficiaries shall still be entitled to funeral benefits, as provided for under the law.”

Maulion also said only Navarro received her EC funeral benefit. The beneficiaries of the other victims who were reported to be still missing are either securing papers to substantiate their claim while the others are hoping that their loved ones are still alive.

In the same interview, Maulion informed the public of a seminar on the ECP and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) skills and livelihood training to be participated in by 100 companies, composed of employers, human resources and union representatives.

The seminar, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on June 29, is part of the nationwide campaign of DoLe to increase awareness on the ECP and DoLE programs and services.

For the full interview listen to Radyo Inquirer.