THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), has given assurance on immediate assistance and access to benefits for injured workers and families of those who died in the Binaliw landfill tragedy.
Under the ECC’s compensation program, the families of qualified deceased workers will receive death pensions, funeral benefits, and immediate cash assistance.
Injured workers may avail themselves of sickness or disability benefits, including reimbursement of medical expenses.
ECC executive director Kaima Via Velasquez said the agency is coordinating with DOLE Central Visayas, the Social Security System (SSS), and employer Prime Waste Solutions Cebu to fast-track the processing of claims.
“We have instructed our regional officer in Cebu to prioritize these cases and extend all possible assistance to the affected workers and their families,” Velasquez said. Barcelo
DOLE Central Visayas regional director Roy Buenafe said Prime Waste Solutions has committed to settle all outstanding claims of the affected workers.
He added that inspections were temporarily suspended to give way to search-and-rescue operations led by the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Aside from employees’ compensation benefits, DOLE will also provide livelihood and emergency employment assistance under the agency’s Integrated Livelihood Program or the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) initiative.
Profiling and information-gathering activities are ongoing to ensure timely delivery of assistance.
