Palo, Leyte – The Employees’ Compensation Commission Regional Extension Unit 8 (ECC-REU 8) has partnered with the Philippine National Police Regional Office 8 (PNP RO 8), through its Regional Medical and Dental Unit, in the celebration of the International Nurses’ Week with the conduct of a seminar regarding the EC Program to the staff and personnel of the PNP.

The hybrid seminar gathered a total of two hundred seventeen participants, both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, coming from at least ninety-four units and sub-units of the PNP, with some participants joining all the way from Zamboanga City.

During the seminar, ECC-REU 8 Information Officer Atty. Michelle C. Basal emphasized that despite the exclusion of the uniformed personnel of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), they are still covered under the EC Program. Thus, any uniformed personnel coming from the said agencies who suffered from work-related contingencies may avail sickness benefits, medical benefits, carer’s allowance, and all other benefits provided under the EC Program through the GSIS.

Likewise, it was highlighted during the discussion that all covered members do not pay a single centavo to the EC Program as the funding or the premium contribution is sourced out from their agency since it is an employer-based contribution. Thus, covered members will never see their salaries get deducted for EC contributions. But, they will continue to be covered under the EC Program and may avail ECP benefits should any work-related contingency occur.

Information Officer Atty. Basal took the occasion as an opportunity to share the new website developed by the GSIS which provides for a comprehensive walk-through on how to file for EC claim. All EC Program covered workers may simply visit gtap.gsis.gov.ph or ecc.gov.ph for more information regarding the EC Program.

Atty. M. Basal – REU 8