EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ACT

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACT

(a) provide for an open and fair system of guaranteed and adequate compensation for all employees
or their dependants for any death, injury, disease or disability arising out of or in the course of
employment;
(b) provide rehabilitation to employees with work-related disabilities as provided in this Act;
(c) establish and maintain a solvent compensation fund managed in the interest of employees and
employers;
(d) provide for fair and adequate assessments for employers;
(e) provide an appeal procedure that is simple, fair and accessible, with minimal delays; and
(f) combine efforts and resources of relevant stakeholders for the prevention of workplace disabilities,
including the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards.

COVERAGE

(1) Private sector workers who are compulsory members of the Social Security System (SSS) and sea-
based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

(2) Government sector employees who are members of the Government service Insurance System
(GSIS), including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, elective government officials who
are receiving regular salary and all casual, emergency, temporary and substitute or contractual
employees.

BENEFITS UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Loss-of-income benefits;
Medical services, appliances and supplies;
Carers’ allowance;
Rehabilitation services;
Death benefits;
Funeral benefits

WHEN EC CLAIMS BE FILED

EC claims must be filed within a period of three years from:

In case of sickness, from the time the employee was unable to report for work;
In case of injury, from the time of the incident;
In case of death, from the date of death.
The filing of disability or death benefits either under the SSS law or the GSIS law within three years
from the time the cause of action accrued would stop the running of the prescriptive period.

WHERE ARE EC CLAIMS FILED

All EC claims may be filed by the claimant at his option in the GSIS Regional Office (for the public
sector) or SSS Branch (for the private sector) nearest to his place of work or residence.