Infante’s SSS claim now with ECC for review

This is in reference to a letter from Rodolfo I. Infante regarding his EC disability claim.

Infante said: “In 2002 I filed for partial disability but the SSS granted me disability benefits only under SS law. Hypertension and heart disease being compensable under Presidential Decree 626 (ECC law), I filed for partial disability before retirement (2004) and disability after retirement (2005). During several follow-ups with SSS Tarlac, I was advised to wait for the resolution of my claim via registered mail. I believe that SSS president Emilio de Quiros and senior vice president Jose Bautista do not approve of delays in the resolution of SSS members’ claim”.

According to SSS Tarlac, Infante filed his EC Partial Permanent Disability claim only on July 4, 2005 and not in 2002 and 2004. SSS Tarlac denied his claim because he was a chain smoker, which may have caused his hypertension.

Based on Infante’s medical history, he was a smoker since the age of 15 until he was diagnosed with hypertension in 1993. His habit increased the risk of hypertension.

But SSS Tarlac still endorsed Infante’s Partial Permanent Disability to the Medical Operations Department (MOD) last May 23 for evaluation. Upon review of Infante’s case, MOD, through a letter dated July 26, 2011, submitted it to the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) for further review and final decision.

—JOEL P. PALACIOS,

assistant vice president,

Media Affairs Department,

Social Security System