Manila, May 28 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will provide financial assistance and benefits to qualified victims and beneficiaries affected by the recent building collapse in Angeles City, Pampanga.

In a statement on Thursday, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said he has ordered the Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) to provide Employees' Compensation (EC) assistance to the victims.

Under the EC Program, the ECC will provide PHP15,000 in immediate cash assistance to the qualified beneficiaries of the deceased workers.

The ECC was likewise directed to facilitate the application of the EC funeral benefit worth PHP30,000 through the Social Security System (SSS), on top of the regular SSS benefits. Qualified b...