Catbalogan City, Samar—One hundred forty (140) participants, both from the private and public sectors, took part in the recently concluded Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) Seminar last 28 April 2016 at the Maqueda Bay Hotel and Restaurant which was held as part of Employees’ Compensation Commission’s Advocacy Campaign in Samar Region.
Topics delved on the three components of the ECP namely Prevention, Compensation and Rehabilitation Services. Dr. Raymond Bañaga of the Work Contingency Prevention and Rehabilitation Division of ECC emphasized that employers and employees should always take occupational safety and health as a priority. He further explained that work contingencies have several implications not only on the economic capacity of the workers but as well as to their social and emotional state.
During the open forum, Atty. Villasoto emphasized that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) are still covered by the Employees’ Compensation Program although they are not members of the GSIS. Not having a GSIS Membership ID or Number does not preclude them from being covered under the ECP.
“We thank ECC for making this effort in informing us about the Employees’ Compensation Program. We will continue to keep in touch with the ECC Regional Extension Unit, especially in monitoring contingencies among our men”, Captain Maduli of the Philippine Army said.
“We are happy to know that there is such a government agency that assists our workers who suffer from work-related sickness and injuries. In times of great need, we are happy to know that we can count on ECC”, Miss Wilma of the Manila Teachers’ Mutual Aid System, added.
“Aside from the series of advocacy seminars conducted by the ECC in different cities and municipalities all over the country, our Regional Extension Units are actively conducting On-site and In-House Seminars, as well. These lectures and seminars are for free and are open to all who wish to know more about the Employees’ Compensation Program.”, Stella Zipagan-Banawis, Executive Director of the Employees’ Compensation Commission, explained.
“All these mechanisms have been put in place to heighten EC Program awareness at the grassroots level. As the ECC expands its presence in the regions, we are exploring more ways to elevate our service as we aim for greater heights in social protection”, Banawis added.
“The ECC also offers rehabilitation services under its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang May Kapansanan, or KaGabay Program. It aims to facilitate integration of persons with work-related disabilities (PWRD) into the economic mainstream through physical restoration, training for re-employment, or entrepreneurship,” Banawis said.
She further added that under the program, PWRDs can avail of these services for free and can even be provided with starter kits, when necessary.
Currently, ECC has fourteen (14) Regional Extension Units holding offices at the DOLE Regional Offices all over the Philippines. For interested participants, they may simply visit our ECC Regional Extension Units to inquire about available seminar schedules.
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