The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) has recently ordered the provision of utmost assistance to the families of the   fallen members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and those who sustained injuries in their benefits claims under the Employees’ Compensation as a commendation for their bravery as they stood their ground in the Mamasapano battlefields.

“We hope that through the expeditious processing and release of EC benefits for the PNP-SAF casualties, somehow, we are able to help them and their families,” Secretary of Labor and Employment and ECC Chairman of the Board Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said.

“We are grateful that the GSIS shares our intention in helping the SAF troopers and their families,” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.

ECC Board Resolution No. 15-02-05, Series of 2015 states that as the Commission extends its highest recognition to the gallantry and dedication to service of PNP-SAF troopers in the Mamasapano incident, it also recognizes the need to effect a facilitative processing of the EC benefits for the SAF troopers and /or their qualified beneficiaries.

Furthermore, the resolution directs the GSIS, as the fund manager of the State Insurance Fund for the public sector, to immediately process and release the corresponding EC disability benefits to the wounded SAF troopers and initial EC death benefits to the qualified beneficiaries of the fallen 44 upon receipt of the wounded and the names of the beneficiaries of the casualties from the PNP.

“The resolution shall take effect immediately after the GSIS formulates the necessary guidelines to ensure its implementation,” Banawis said.

She further explained that the wounded SAF troopers is entitled to a loss of income benefit—a cash benefit given to worker to compensate for lost of income due to inability to work. Three types of loss of income benefit are temporary total disability (TTD)—for SAF troopers who will be unable to work for a continuous period not exceeding 120 days; permanent total disability (PTD)—for those who are unable to work for more than 240 days; and permanent partial disability (PPD)—for those who lost a body part and consequently, the loss of use of the same.

They are also entitled for medical reimbursement for the cost of medicine incurred for the treatment of injury; payment to providers of medical care; hospital care; and surgical expenses.

Carer’s allowance is also provided to those who will suffer permanent partial or permanent total disability, as a supplement benefit.

Funeral benefits amounting to P20,000 will be given to the qualified beneficiaries of those who died during the clash aside from the death benefits, in the form of monthly pension, which  will be granted to the qualified beneficiaries of the fallen 44.