The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), represented by Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis recently joined the 7th Mindanao Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) summit with the theme “Occupational Safety and Health: Its significance in Globalization” at the Grand Caprice Convention Center in Cagayan De Oro City.
More than 400 health and safety advocates from different regions attended the said summit. This year’s MOSH was hosted by the Occupational Safety and Health Network 10.
Banawis presented the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) to the participants and discussed the salient features of the program. She likewise explained the new policies the ECC is implementing now to further improve the benefits and services provided under the ECP.
”With President Duterte’s signing of the Executive Order No. 54, employees may now expect a bigger compensation from the ECP. The said EO is just one of the many steps we are taking now to provide a more meaningful package of benefits to our workers who meet wok-related contingencies,” said Banawis.
According to Banawis, the ECC has also taken into consideration the inclusion of self-employed members of the SSS to be covered under the ECP.
“The ECP is not just about monetary assistance, as much as possible we try to help our persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) go back to the economic mainstream and make them productive citizens again through the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program,” Banawis added.
The ECC’s Return to Work (RTW) and KaGabay Program have been great tools in the rehabilitation of PWRDs in the country today.
Banawis also reminded everyone that though there is ECP, it is still more important that employees prioritize their safety and health in their respective workplaces.
During the event, the ECC Regional Extension Unit 10 also installed an activity booth to strengthen the online presence of the ECC and promote the ECP in the digital community.
“I urge everyone here today to become ECP advocates as well by sharing the information to your families, friends and fellow workers. Let’s make everyone aware of the existence of the ECC,” said Banawis.
End./Stella Mae D. Obice