The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) is celebrating five decades of dedicated service, providing essential financial and medical support to Filipino workers facing job-related risks. Recognizing ECC’s impact, the Social Security System (SSS) applauds the agency’s unwavering commitment to ensuring employees and their families receive timely assistance in times of work-related illness, injury, or loss.
SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Claro emphasized the vital role ECC plays in the country’s labor welfare system.
“As a key partner in managing the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program, we commend ECC for its dedication to delivering meaningful and timely aid to affected workers. This milestone is a testament to ECC’s continuous efforts in refining policies and expanding support programs that protect employees across various industries,” De Claro stated.
A Half-Century of Strengthening Workers’ Protection
Since its establishment in 1975 through Presidential Decree No. 626, ECC has served as a cornerstone of workplace security. The commission has played a crucial role in implementing the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP), which provides tax-free financial support, medical care, and rehabilitation services to affected workers and their dependents. This initiative covers employees, including self-employed individuals, ensuring assistance in cases of job-related health concerns or fatalities.
The program is financed through the State Insurance Fund (SIF), sustained by employer contributions. SSS manages the fund for private sector and informal economy workers, while the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) administers it for government employees.
Over P39 Billion in Compensation Benefits Distributed
From 1975 to 2024, SSS has released a total of P39.1 billion in EC benefits, reaching 2.7 million beneficiaries. These funds have provided critical financial relief, covering medical expenses, replacing lost income, and aiding rehabilitation efforts.
Long-term benefits accounted for 81% of total disbursements, amounting to P31.6 billion. This includes:
- P27 billion in EC death benefits awarded to approximately 42,000 claimants
- P5.1 billion in EC disability benefits assisting over 78,000 workers
Meanwhile, short-term benefits made up 19% of total payouts, totaling nearly P7.5 billion, including:
- P5.3 billion in EC sickness benefits, benefiting almost 2 million workers
- P1.7 billion in medical service benefits, helping over 700,000 recipients
- P284 million in EC funeral benefits provided to nearly 28,000 beneficiaries
- P85 million allocated for rehabilitation services, aiding more than 15,000 individuals
Commitment to Strengthening Worker Support
De Claro reaffirmed SSS’s commitment to working closely with ECC to ensure all Filipino workers remain safeguarded against work-related risks.
“With ECC’s continuous initiatives and policy improvements, we look forward to expanding support programs that provide greater security for workers and their families,” he added.
As ECC marks its 50th year, its dedication to protecting employees remains steadfast, ensuring that Filipino workers have a reliable safety net in times of need.
