Powers and Duties.
Article 178
ART. 178. Powers and Duties. — The Commission shall: Assess and fix a rate of premium from all employers covered under Article 168 of this Title; Determine, under such rules and regulations as it may promulgate, the rate of premium payable by an employer whose records show a high frequency of work accidents or occupational diseases in the preceding year due to failure by the said employer to observe adequate safety measures; Promulgate rules and regulations governing the processing of claims and the settlement of disputes arising therefrom; Authorize the GSIS and the SSS to conduct actuarial and financial studies of the State Insurance Fund. The initial study concerned particularly with the granting of constant help and of pension benefits for permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, death, and the integration of the benefits under this Title with other benefits administered by the SSS and the GSIS, shall be made as soon as feasible, but not later than 1975; (e) Appoint and maintain through the Chairman, subject to existing Civil Service Law and rules, the personnel of its staff; Prepare the annual budget of the Employees Compensation Commission chargeable against the State Insurance Fund; Authorize the SSS and the GSIS to prepare their respective annual budgets for the operational expenses or administration of the State Insurance Fund: Provided, That the said budget, together with that of the Employees Compensation Commission, is not less than 7% nor more than 12% of the premiums and all income therefrom collected by them, respectively, without prejudice, however, to change in the minimum herein allowed as may be actuarially warranted; Perform such other functions and exercise such other authority as may be necessary to attain the purposes and objectives for which the Commission is organized; and Have the power to administer oath and affirmation, and to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum in connection with any question or issue arising under this Title.