ECC appeals for understanding in delay in processing claims for COVID-19 contracted at work

The Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) on Saturday appealed for the public’s understanding as it takes a long time to process and release the claims of workers who contracted COVID-19 while performing their duties.

“Humihingi kami ng understanding na maraming factor kung bakit hindi agarang napo-process ang mga application,” ECC Executive Director Stella Banawis said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

(We are asking for the public's understanding as there are many factors why the applications could not be processed immediately.)

Banawis said the ECC’s workforce has been affected by the surge of COVID-19 cases, noting that many of its processors are undergoing isolation after close contact with COVID-19 positive individuals.

She said the processing of employees compensation claims related to COVID-19 takes two months.

The ECC, together with implementing agencies Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System, provides P10,000 sickness claim and P15,000 death and funeral claim for those who contracted COVID-19 while performing their duties.

Banawis said the ECC has so far processed 24,000 claims while the SSS and GSIS have processed a combined 81,000 employees compensation claims related to COVID-19.

The requirements for the cash assistance are the following:

• accomplished forms downloadable from the websites of ECC, SSS, GSIS;
• certificate of employment indicating the last date the employee reported  to work before infection;
• swab test result;
• medical certificate or quarantine clearance; and
• two valid IDs.

Banawis said applications can be submitted online or through the ECC’s or the implementing agencies’ drop boxes in its offices.

In April, the ECC approved the inclusion of COVID-19 among its list of occupational and work-related compensable diseases. —KG, GMA News