THE Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) assured victims of the bunkhouse accident in Cebu City that they will be provided with all the benefits available under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP).
In a statement, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said workers, who died or were injured in the bunkhouse accident, shall be properly compensated.
Five construction workers died and 57 others were injured when a 30-foot tall bunkhouse, which served as shelter for more than 150 workers, collapsed dawn of March 6 in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. The bunkhouse was constructed and used by JE Abraham C. Lee Construction and Development Inc. It was made of steel bars and aluminum sheets.
“It was an unfortunate accident but we want to assure the workers and their families of the assistance from the ECC,” said Bello, who is also the ECC chairman.
This was seconded by ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis, who pointed out that injuries and the resulting disabilities or death sustained by stay-in local employees within the quarters furnished by the employers are compensable under the ECP, regardless of the time of its occurrence.
“The so-called ‘bunkhouse rule’ is applicable to the plight of the afflicted employees who were working on the construction projects of J.E. Abraham Lee Construction and Development Inc.,” said Zipagan-Banawis.
The affected workers will be entitled to loss of income benefits, medical benefits, carer’s allowance, death pension, and rehabilitation services under the ECP.
In addition, they are also qualified to avail themselves of the benefits under the ECC’s Katulong at Gabay ng Manggagawang May Kapansanan (KaGabay Program), wherein persons with work-related disability (PWRD) may avail themselves of physical therapy, skills or entrepreneurial training, and livelihood assistance.
Zipagan-Banawis said they are just waiting for the official list of casualties from the local authorities in order for the Social Security System to be able to process and release their corresponding benefits.
“The said list will serve as a sufficient basis for the processing and subsequent release of the EC benefits of the affected workers, thereby sparing them from the submission of several documentary requirements,” she said. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)