Following the success of the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) Advocacy Seminar in Catbalogan City last 28 April 2016, the Employees’ Compensation Commission-Regional Extension Unit No. 8 (ECC-REU8) reinforces its ties with the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas through the conduct of seminars on the ECP with the different units under the said Division.

The first leg of the lectures series was conducted with the Military Intelligence Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Bajarin on May 2016. The said activity was attended by 39 members of the Intelligence Battalion of the 8th ID Philippine Army in Camp Lukban, Barangay Maulong, Catbalogan City.

Last June 2016, the same lecture was conducted to 69 members of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army representing 24 different companies and units all over Eastern Visayas. This was made possible through coordination with Major Maximino Maduli of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel.

It was emphasized among the participants that despite their non-membership to the Government Service Insurance System, they, or their beneficiaries, can still file for their EC claim at the GSIS in case of work-related sickness, disability and death.

Aside from the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are also entitled to receive EC benefits in the event of work-connected contingencies which include loss of income benefits, medical reimbursement, carer’s allowance, death benefits, and rehabilitation services.

“This intensified information drive on the Employees’ Compensation Program with the members of the Philippine Army is part of the large scale effort of the Employees’ Compensation Commission in increasing ECP awareness among the uniformed personnel”, Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.

“Since the establishment of our Regional Extension Units in 14 Regions all over the country, we have issued marching orders for our REU personnel to prioritize information dissemination on ECP to the PNP, BJMP, BFP and the AFP on top of their efforts in increasing awareness among government and private stakeholders”, Banawis added.

End/ Michelle Basal, ECC-REU8 Information Officer