The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) thru the Social Security System (SSS), its administering agency in the private sector, recently released the monetary benefits of Alexter Baldugo, an employee of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) who suffered from a work-related accident.

The 47 year old lineman sustained fracture in his right leg and right arm after their service vehicle bumped into a concrete fence.

Based on the report released by the Pinili Municipal Police Station, at about 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon of August 6, 2018, Baldugo boarded their service van being driven by Arsenio Cajigal. While along the National Highway of Barangay Apatut-Lubong, Pinili, Ilocos Norte a motorcycle riding in tandem suddenly overtaken their vehicle and instantaneously fired upon them hitting Cajigal four times. Luckily, Baldugo was not hit by any bullet.  However, Cajigal lose control of the steering wheel and suddenly bumped into a concrete fence where both victims were stuck in the said van.

In September 2018, Baldugo filed his EC claim at the SSS-Laoag City Branch. Upon evaluation, he was granted 120 days of Temporary Total Disability benefits amounting to P24,000.00

As a way of helping Baldugo further, the ECC Regional Extension Unit No. 1 is preparing Baldugo for a skills and entrepreneurship training prior to awarding him a livelihood assistance under the Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

Meanwhile, Cajigal’s EC death and funeral benefits amounting to P30,000.00 was granted to his beneficiaries.

The injury or the resulting disability or death sustained by reason of employment is compensable regardless of the place where the incident occurred, if it can be proven that, at the time of the contingency, the employee is acting within the scope of employment and performing an act reasonably necessary or incidental to it.

Injuries or death resulting from any of the following shall also be compensable: when it happened at the workplace; while performing official functions; outside of the workplace, but performing an order/instruction of the employer; when going to or coming from the place of work; while ministering to personal comfort; while in a company shuttle bus; or during a company-sponsored activity.

 

End./Dexter Dupagan