The Employees Compensation Commission awarded P10,000 cash assistance each to five workers of Chuzon Supermarket in Porac, Pampanga who were severely injured during the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that hit Luzon on April 22.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda together with ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis personally distributed the cash assistance to the families of the workers at the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan Labor Day Job Fair and Business Opportunities at the Kingsborough International Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga.

The cash assistance is part of ECC’s Quick Response Program which aims to provide immediate financial support to workers who meet work-related contingencies, and is on top of the disability benefits and rehabilitation services that they may avail under the EC Program.

Workers also received EC grocery assistance immediately after the earthquake happened.

“We hope that the financial support that you received will somehow aid you with your hospital and medical expenses. Rest assured that we will continue to help you further,” said Bello, who chairs the ECC.

The Employees’ Compensation Commission is a government corporation attached to the Department of Labor and Employment for policy coordination and guidance. It was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 626, as amended and as embodied in Title II of Book IV of the Labor Code of the Philippines. The ECC is mandated to provide meaningful and appropriate compensation to workers and their dependents in the event of work-related contingencies such as sickness, injury, disability or death.

According to Banawis, the ECC thru its Regional Extension Unit in Central Luzon will continue to monitor the conditions of the affected workers in the region especially the workers of the said supermarket whose legs were amputated.

“Aside from the monetary benefits, the Commission will also assist the workers with their rehabilitation needs. Those whose legs were amputated may undergo free therapies and provision of prosthetic legs under the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program of the EC Program,” Banawis said.

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