“To Serve and to Protect.”

This is the motto of the Philippine National Police (PNP) even if its members’ life are put in danger.

Police Officer 3 John Ely Z. Bayan, a member of San Juan Police Station in La Union, suffered laceration in his right Achilles tendon after an operation conducted against criminals on March 9, 2017.

Sometime in June, 2017, PO3 Bayan visited the Regional Extension Unit 1 (REU1) in San Fernando upon knowing that he may qualify for EC benefits. He learned about his additional benefits after the orientation conducted by the regional officers in Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) on March 5, 2017 last year.

PO3 Bayan filed his EC claim with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) La Union branch, which was approved, and he received his loss of income benefits.

Aside from monetary benefits, PO3 Bayan completed his free physical therapy session at Lorma Hospital.

To inform other uniformed personnel in the province regarding their additional benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP), ECC-REU1 regional officers conducted recently an EC Program orientation in La Union Provincial Police Office (LUPPO), attended by all administrative officers of each police stations.

Regional Officer Dexter Dupagan emphasized that despite the exclusion of the members of the AFP and PNP from the coverage of Republic Act No. 8291 otherwise known as “The Government Service Insurance Act of 1997,” they are still covered by P.D 626, “The Employees’ Compensation and State Insurance Fund.”

Last year, ECC-REU1 conducted an EC Program orientation in Pangasinan Provincial Police Office, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and in Philippine Coastguard.

Work-connected sickness or injuries are covered by the EC Program. Benefits provided come in the form of income, medical, carer’s allowance, rehabilitation services, as well as death benefits.

EC claims are filed with the SSS for those in the private sector and with the GSIS for those in the public sector. (ECC/DJD)