Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, yesterday, stated that EC pensioners can expect an increase in their pension after the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) approved Board Resolution No. 15-06-30 which adopts the manner of computing Social Security (SS) pension under the SS Law, particularly the pension formula and the definitions of Average Monthly Salary Credit (AMSC) and Credited Years of Service (CYS) in the prospective computation of EC Pension.
“By adopting the manner by which the Social Security System (SSS) compute its pension and its definition of the important factors being considered in the computation, we are able to uplift the welfare of EC pensioners,” Secretary Baldoz said.
Baldoz added that the resolution also reiterated the automatic and simultaneous increase in EC monthly pension every time the SSS increases the SS pension for non-work related deaths and disabilities, for as long as the State Insurance Fund (SIF) can accommodate such increase without requiring any raise in EC premium.
The resolution is based on an actuarial study made by the Social Security System, upon ECC’s request, to determine the viability of applying the manner of computation of SS pension, particularly the definitions of AMSC and CYS, in computing the EC pension.
As of March 2015, there are 18,303 EC pensioners under the SSS—16,840 of which are death pensioners while the remaining 1,463 are disability pensioners. The average amount of death pension is P3,483 and P3,494 for disability.
“By adopting these changes, there is an expected increase in the EC pension which will be implemented prospectively”, Banawis said.
Emphasizing prevention over compensation
The ECC Executive Director reminded everyone that prevention of work-related accidents and illnesses should be everybody’s concern even if there is an ECP to provide for the needs of persons who were victims of work-related contingencies.
“We should always remember to put safety and health in the workplace as everybody’s priority. The ECC is always ready to assist workers who figure in work-related accidents and illnesses but we will never cease to remind everyone that prevention is always better than compensation,” Banawis ended.The Employees’ Compensation Commission celebrated its 40th founding anniversary in an eco-friendly manner by planting Cupang nurseries at the Lamesa Eco Park in Quezon City.
ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis explained that it has been an annual tradition of ECC to plant nurseries and trees. Since ECC is celebrating another milestone, such activity has been part of the weeklong anniversary celebration. ECC celebrates nature as it celebrates its 40th year of existence.
“Planting trees and nurseries symbolizes the commitment of ECC to support in revitalizing the ecosystem of the country,” added Banawis.
Other activities during the 40th anniversary celebration were: photo exhibit at the ECC lobby featuring the significant events of the Commission in 40 years, ECP in-house seminars conducted all over the Philippines by Regional Extension Units, nutritional research program for persons with work-related disabilities, film showing and wellness program for ECC employees.