Defying the odds in reaching the heart of Mindanao, the Employees’ Compensation Commission-Regional Extension Unit No. 12 (ECC-REU 12) has successfully conveyed information on the benefits and services of the Employees Compensation Program (ECP) to forty one companies and government agencies in Cotabato City last May 2015.

In an in-house seminar conducted in Casa Blanca Restaurant, the ECC-REU 12 staff was able to extend the coverage of its ECP advocacy campaign in the region through the assistance of the Cotabato Field Office of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 12.

The ECP Seminar discussed topics on prevention of workplace accidents and diseases, EC benefits and rehabilitation services for workers.

While still in Cotabato City, the ECC-REU 12 staff also reached out to the local Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) units.

“When PNP Cotabato heard about ECP, they asked if they are still covered by the program even if they were no longer members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). This coordination is done to ensure that PNP personnel in Cotabato City will be informed of their benefits and services under the ECP,” ECC-REU 12 Information Officer II Christopher Gamboa reported to ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis.

The team also paid a visit to Cotabato City branches of Social Security System and GSIS to strengthen their coordination as administering agencies of the ECP.

Gamboa also stressed that they also took advantage of their time in Cotabato City to look for a partner hospital to provide free physical and occupational therapy for workers who suffered work-related accidents and sickness. The rehabilitation service is a part of the services under the ECP.

The ECP is designed to provide employees and their families with income benefits, medical, and other benefits in the event of work-related sickness, injury, or death.

“However, we put a bigger emphasis on promoting safety in the workplace as prevention is always better than compensation and rehabilitation. Prevention of workplace accidents and diseases should be of utmost concern as the health and safety of our workers is our primary consideration,” Executive Director Banawis said.

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With reports from Christopher Gamboa, Information Officer II, ECC-REU No. 12