SSS unilaterally reversed death benefit ruling

I am a son of the late Policarpio M. Calayag and Estrellita E. Calayag. My father worked at Central Azucarera de Tarlac from 1960-1999. In the course of his employment he suffered a slipped disk and later contracted lung cancer which was ruled compensable by the Social Security System (SSS) under Presidential Decree No. 626, as amended. The slipped disk was earlier ruled compensable under the Employees Compensation and Social Security laws effective June 1998 through January 1999 or for a period of eight months; the EC death benefit, starting February 1999, guaranteed for 60 months.

Later the SSS reversed the EC death benefit unilaterally, meaning there was no due process, and in violation of the law on estoppel.

—EDGARDO E. CALAYAG,

Masibucan Street, Mapalacsiao,

Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac City