The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed cash assistance to the bereaved families of police personnel killed in an ambush in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

The ECC cash distribution held March 29 at Seda Abreeza Hotel in Davao City was graced by Davao Region police regional director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, GSIS Davao Branch Manager Ma. Cecilia G. Vega, DOLE XI Assistant Regional Director Naomi Lyn C. Abellana and former councilor of third district Carlos H. Bello.

The event was led by the Executive Director of the Employees’ Compensation Commission, Stella Zipagan-Banawis and her Deputy Executive Director Atty. Jonathan T. Villasoto.

Last March 8, four police officers were killed in an ambush in Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. PO1 Rolly Benelayo, PO1 Joe Narvaza, PO1 Saro Mangutara (all members of Bansalan Municipal Police Station) and PO3 Jayden May Rabor (a member of the Scene of the Crime Operatives in Digos City) were reportedly responding to an incident when they were attacked by suspected members of communist New People’s Army.

The Employees’ Compensation Commission granted each of the families 20 thousand pesos as EC funeral benefit and an EC pension to the spouse and children below 21 years of age. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment XI awarded all the beneficiary families with livelihood package in the amount of 20 thousand pesos in the form of starter kits and Special Employment for their children.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa tulong ng ating mahal na President Duterte sa pamamagitan ng ECC at DOLE.” said Menang Mangotara, the mother of late PO1 Saro Mangotara.

ECC Executive Director Banawis remarked that the grant of the assistance is in consonance with the marching order of the President that all government programs for the uniformed personnel must be provided immediately after an incident of death or injury happens.

Police Regional Office XI Director Chief Superintendent Gaerlan expressed appreciation and gratitude to ECC and DOLE over the assistance extended for the bereaved families. “Though no amount can appease the grief caused by the loss of their loved ones, the aid granted by the ECC and DOLE greatly helps the families to cope up with such loss.” he added.

ECC is a quasi-judicial corporate entity created to implement the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) that provides a package of benefits for public and private sector employees and their dependents in the event of work-connected contingencies such as sickness, injury, disability or death.

ECC-REUXI