In order to ensure that employees are informed of their rights, benefits, and privileges under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP), the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), will conduct a free ECP advocacy seminar to about 300 Local Government Officials, specifically in the barangays, and employees and students of selected Technological and Vocational Institutions (TVI) in the province and city of Iloilo.

The event will be held on July 4-5, 2023, at the Smallville Hotel, Diversion Road, Manduriao, Iloilo City, where the three components of the ECP, such as prevention, compensation, and rehabilitation services, as well as recent ECP reforms, will be discussed by ECC and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) representatives.

The advocacy session is the first in Iloilo and is being held to increase awareness of the ECP for barangay officials as the leader of their community where information on government benefits and services must always be readily available. At the same time, this seminar is to prepare TVI students for their entry into the workforce and to reorient TVI employees on the basics of the EC Program.

“Understanding government programs, like the ECP, fosters collaboration between our agency and the barangays. It will surely lead to a more coordinated efforts and other initiatives for the benefit of everyone. This is also important to our technical vocational institutions where workers are exposed to various risks and hazards. By promoting a safe and healthy work environment and providing workers with the necessary benefits, we can improve their well-being and productivity, and ultimately contribute to the growth and development of our country,” said ECC OIC Executive Director Jose Maria Batino.

Director Batino added that just being informed about the ECP is essential to effectively carry out our responsibilities and improve the lives of the people we serve, especially those employees who have met work-related contingencies.

It is anticipated that the seminar, especially the open forum, will lead to an exchange of ideas that will enhance ECC’s implementation and awareness campaigns at the barangay and school levels.

S. Barredo – REU 6