The Employees’ Compensation Commission, thru its Regional Extension Unit No. 6, is set to visit barangays in Iloilo for free orientation on the ECP as part of its grassroots approach to intensify awareness on the Program, targeting the smallest yet the nearest network to reach injured and sick workers.

ECC had recently joined the regular Liga Federation meeting attended by some 40 liga presidents, representing more than 1000 barangays in the Province of Iloilo on January 27, 2017.

The ECP was presented as workers’ basic statutory benefits under the Labor Code of the Philippines which every worker is entitled to have, over and above their SSS and PhilHealth benefits. It was emphasized that only workers with work-connected contingencies such as sickness or injury can avail the said benefits or their beneficiaries in case of work-connected death.

Compensation benefits include loss of income benefits, carer’s allowance, medical, death and funeral benefits; and rehabilitation services as additional benefits under the ECP.

Furthermore, participants were encouraged to report work-related contingencies to the nearest Department of Labor and Employment and Employees Compensation Commission offices to facilitate easy provision of assistance for the persons with work-related disabilities.

“The ECC will invade not only private companies and national government offices, but also our local government units. The barangays will be a good partner to reach out to workers in the far-flung places. The purpose of the promotional visits is to fast track EC claims’ filing and to network accessible reporting of work-related contingencies in every barangays in Iloilo.” said ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis.

ECC has directed its Regional Staff to commence the said strategy starting off with the municipalities of Mina, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Maasin, and Lambunao this February 2017.

The ECC is a government owned and controlled corporation mandated to provide private and public workers a package of benefits in the event of work-related sickness, injury or death.