The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) conducted its first web seminar or webinar on Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic on June 24, 2020.

A total of thirty-one (31) participants from both public and private sectors nationwide attended the seminar which lasted for two hours.

Alvin C. Garcia, Public Information Officer IV of the Information and Public Assistance Division (IPAD) discussed the components of ECP, process of filing for EC claims, and the compensability of the diseases, injuries and/or death under the ECP.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tin Cobrador-Marquez of the Work Contingency Prevention and Rehabilitation Division of ECC discussed the prevention and rehabilitation aspects of the ECP, which highlighted the basic principles and practices of accident and disease prevention in the workplace.

After the program presentation, Ma. Cecilia E. Maulion, IPAD Chief discussed and elaborated the inclusion of COVID-19 under the ECP as well as other compensable diseases during the question and answer portion. Maulion emphasized that all workers who tested positive for COVID-19 by reason of employment can also claim their benefits from ECC thru the Social Security System (SSS) for private sector workers and Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) for public workers.

One of the participants of the webinar said, “Thank you for this wonderful webinar of ECC. It’s a great help to us to be informed of these social protection benefits as we embrace the new normal. ”

ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said, “ECC remains committed in providing meaningful benefits and services for workers who meet work-related contingencies such as sickness, injury and/or death as well as promoting a safe and healthy working environment especially during this time of pandemic.”

This is the first time in the history of ECC that the agency adopted a web seminar on ECP as part of the continuous effort to reach workers from both sectors and inform them of their rights and privileges as compulsory members of SSS and GSIS.

Reporting by Carlo A. Katigbak