President Benigno S. Aquino III honors the fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Troopers during the Necrological Service at the NCRPO Multi-Purpose Center of Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City on Friday (January 30). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Relatives of the 44 Special Action Force troopers who died in a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25 may soon get additional assistance by way of funeral benefits from the Department of Labor and Employment.
The assistance from the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) is ready for release this week, the DOLE said as it cited a report from Employees’ Compensation Commission Executive Director Stella Banawis.
“ECC Regional Extension Units staff were already instructed to coordinate with the families of the SAF 44 and the GSIS branch in their areas. They will inform the families once the checks are available for them to claim,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said, quoting a report from Banawis.
Baldoz added the Government Service Insurance System had processed the funeral benefits of the 44 and the concerned GSIS branches have been advised to release these.
For now, the ECC and GSIS are working on processing the death benefits for the 44.
Under the ECP, an employee from the public or private sector who died in a work-related accident or illness will be granted a funeral benefit of P20,000.
His or her beneficiaries will also get a death benefit in the form of monthly pensions.
Last week, the ECC Board ordered the urgent release of EC benefits for the SAF 44.
It directed the GSIS to process and release the benefits, GSIS is the administering agency. (MNS)