DoLE extends cash aid to victims of Angeles building collapse

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) on Thursday said it will extend cash assistance and employees’ compensation (EC) benefits to victims and beneficiaries affected by the tragic collapse of an unfinished nine-story building in Angeles City, Pampanga.

In a news release, the agency said Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino ordered the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), DoLE’s attached agency, to provide employees’ compensation cash assistance of P15,000 to qualified beneficiaries of deceased workers and facilitate the P30,000 funeral benefit through the Social Security System (SSS), in addition to regular SSS benefits.

“Qualified beneficiaries, including spouses and minor children of the deceased workers, may also receive EC death pension benefits,” the DoLE said.

The department also said injured workers may receive P10,000 cash assistance under the EC program and a disability benefit to be determined by the SSS.

Mr. Tolentino visited the site in Angeles City on May 27, where he stressed the need to review the agency’s visitorial powers and assured continued assistance from DoLE, the ECC, and partner agencies to affected workers and their families. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking