Davao City – ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis and PNP 11 Regional Director PBGen Marcelo C. Morales jointly headed the ceremonial signing of the MOA which seeks to forge an optimum collaboration by both parties in ensuring the welfare of all police personnel in the region.
Director Banawis highlighted in her speech that, “Despite the long existence of EC Programs quite a number of men and women in uniform remain unaware of their entitlements and coverage. Full awareness on EC Programs by all Police personnel is the primary reason of this MOA’s execution.”
PBGen Morales extended his appreciation over the helpful interventions of the EC Programs for the families of fallen men and women in the police force. “The fast recovery of the bereaved families from the grief over the untimely loss of their loved ones can also be attributed to the immediate assistance extended by the Government like those of ECC.” he remarked.
The EC Programs streamlined a package of benefits such as as immediate cash assistance for the wounded or killed in police operations, disability benefits, medical reimbursements, death benefits and a program known as Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KAGABAY) where livelihood assistance may be availed of.
In Region 11, the ECC had been instrumental in providing relief to the grieving family of late Police Staff Sargeant Manolo Bo-oc and Police Master Sargeant Danny Moalong who were killed when their station in Matan-ao, Davao del Sur was strafed by alleged members of the New People’s Army in 2014. The same holds true when terrorists ambushed a team of investigators in Bansalan, Davao del Sur in 2017 resulting to the untimely death of Patrolman Rolly Benelayo, Patrolman Joe Narvaza, Patrolman Saro Mangutara and Police Staff Sargeant Jayden May Rabor.
“The EC Programs have made a great contribution in alleviating the sorrow of my family when my husband died during the NPA attack. It helped us move on from that tragedy.”, said Alicia Bo-oc, the surviving spouse of late Police Staff Sargeant Manolo.
The ECC’s partnership with PNP 11 is in consonance with the mandate of the current administration through the Comprehensive Social Benefits Programs to harmonize the various benefits and assistance to members of the AFP and PNP who are wounded or killed in military or police operations in honor of the gallantry of soldiers and policemen in putting their lives in the performance of their sworn duties.
The Memorandum of Agreement signing was concluded on 02 September 2019 at the Police Regional Office 11 Grandstand, Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido, Buhangin, Davao City. (ECC-REUXI)
