Total disability pension, other EC benefits to increase with Duterte’s EO 54

President Rodrigo Duterte brought good news for disability pensioners, as he issued Executive Order No. 54 which will increase employees’ compensation (EC) benefits in the private sector as well as carer’s allowance in the public sector.

Signed by the president last May 8, the order approved a P1,50 across-the-board increase for the EC monthly disability pension of all permanent disability pensioners and qualified beneficiaries in the private sector.

Meanwhile, the carer’s allowance granted to EC permanent disability pensioners in both the private and public sectors were raised to P1,000 from P575 per month.

Reimbursement rates for the professional fees of physicians as well as therapy sessions were also increased, along with the temporary total disability benefits for the private sector.

For daily ward visits, the reimbursement rate is now at P400 for general practitioner and P600 for specialist. For intensive care unit or coronary care unit, the reimbursement rate is now fixed at P800 per day and a maximum of P3,200 per confinement for general practitioner. The rate for specialist is 1,200 per day with a maximum of P4,800 per confinement at the ICU/CCU ward.

The EO noted that there is a need to continue the improvement of benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) so as to be more responsive to the development and welfare needs of occupationally disabled workers.

In line with this, President Duterte directed the Employees’ Compensation Commission, Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System to appropriate and release funds needed for the increase in the benefits.

via Manila Bulletin / Genalyn Kabiling