The Social Security System (SSS) on Monday praised the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) for five decades of providing assistance to Filipino workers facing work-related illnesses, injuries, or death.

SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro lauded ECC’s role as a “vital pillar” in the country’s social security system, citing its commitment to providing timely support and raising awareness on occupational safety and health since its establishment in 1975.

“The SSS, being a key partner in the administration of the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program, recognizes ECC’s unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive, meaningful, and timely assistance to workers and their families in times of work-related sickness, injury, or death,” De Claro said. "We congratulate ECC on reaching this golden milestone and wish only the best for the agency, its officials and employees as we strive to provide quality social security protection to all Filipino workers."

ECC was created through Presidential Decree No. 626 signed by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. It leads the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Program, which provides tax-exempt income, medical, and related benefits to workers in both the public and private sectors.

As ECC marked its 50th anniversary, De Claro reported that SSS had disbursed P39.1 billion in Employees’ Compensation (EC) benefits to 2.7 million claimants from 1975 to 2024.

Of the total, P31.6 billion — or 81 percent — was spent on long-term benefits such as EC death and disability aid, while P7.5 billion went to short-term benefits, including sickness, medical, funeral, and rehabilitation assistance.

De Claro reaffirmed SSS’s commitment to supporting ECC’s mandate and ensuring protection for all Filipino workers affected by job-related risks.

“These benefits have provided much-needed financial relief to workers who have suffered work-related injuries or illnesses, helping them cover medical expenses, replace lost income, and rehabilitate their lives,” De Claro said.