Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3 3247
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Sergio C. Dagooe

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 2, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The state
shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the
prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from
poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full
employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for
all.”

Electricity plays a very vital role in our everyday lives and it is top
priority to ensure the continuous supply of electrical service especially after
natural disasters and calamities.

Utility work is essential for keeping electricity running in our
homes, small and medium enterprises, and supply power to our industries.
While continuous supply of electricity drives economic development,
personal doing the dirty work to ensure this are risking their lives. Line
workers may fall from electric posts, suffer electri shocks, burns, and
other injuries while on the job every day, and these injuries in the worst
cases result in the loss of life. By working on electrical lines, utility workers
face some of the most dangerous tasks in the industry.

As such, it is just proper that line worker get not only the proper
compensation but also extra benefits in exchange for the risks that they
face on the job. The State should mandate certain benefits as well as
increased insurance coverage for line workers, who serve as our warriors
of light. Like men and women in uniform, the life of line workers are always
at risk. And if we grant increased benefits to our uniformed personnel, we
should also give what is due to those who work the line.

“The passage of this bill is earnestly and sincerely sought.

na DAGOOC
APEC Partylist Representative


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3247

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Sergio C. Dagooc

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE
AND BENEFITS FOR ALL LINEMEN AND OTHER POWER LINE
‘WOKERS AND OTHER RELATED PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Lineworker
Appreciation and Benefits Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy — ‘The State recognizes the role of our
electrical line workers in its quest for sustainable economic development
through the continuous and reliable supply of electricity, not only in our homes
but to our industries and other businesses, specifically in the countryside and
rural areas, as envisioned by the Rural Electrification Program. As such, it shall
guarantee measures to acknowledge their contributions to the power utility
sector through additional insurance coverage and benefits.

SECTION 3. Lineworker; defined. - For purposes of this Act, a line worker
shall be defined as any person whose duty and responsibility is to construct and
maintain electric power transmission and distributional lines. They are directly
responsible for, including, but not limited to, the installation, maintenance,
reconstruction, and repair of overhead electrical lines, underground cables,
electrical substations, and other related electrical equipment and facilities.

SECTION 4. Coverage ~ This Act shall cover all line workers in the energy
sector including those of private utilities and electric cooperatives.

SECTION 5. Additional Insurance Coverage and Benefits - In addition to any
existing insurance coverage and benefits given to line workers, employers are
required to obtain additional insurance coverage for all line workers in the
electric industry of not less than One Million (Php 1,000,000.00) Pesos, the
premiums of which are to be shouldered by the employer.


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‘The employers of line workers shall also provide for the following additional
benefits:

(a) Retirement Package equivalent to 6-month salary based on the
amount of basic pay at the time of retirement for line workers
serving the company for not less than five (5) years. This
Retirement package will increase to one (1) year salary, if length
of service of the line work is ten (10) years or more;

(b) Mortuary Assistance of Five Hundred Thousand (Php 500,00.00)
Pesos for ordinary deaths but this benefit will be tripled if the line
worker died while in line of duty;

(©) Disability benefits of up to Five Hundred Thousand (Php
500,000) Pesos for all linemen who shall suffer total or partial
disability, whether permanent or temporary, arising from any
injury sustained in the line of duty;

(@) Reimbursement of actual medical expenses up to, but not
exceeding, Three Hundred Thousand (Php 300,000) Pesos for all
linemen who shall be hospitalized or who shall require medical
attendance for injuries sustained while in the line of duty. This
benefit shall be on top of other health insurance coverage or
Philhealth reimbursement, as the case may be

SECTION 6. Line Worker Appreciation Day ~ The first Monday of August of
every year is hereby declared as National Line Worker Appreciation Day.
Pursuant to this, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) shall
prepare and implement the annual national convention as part of its program.
Private distribution utilities and electric cooperatives shall likewise support the
NEA in all its efforts to promote and facilitate related activities for the purpose.

SECTION 7. Disqualifications from Benefits — No benefits shall be given to
any line workers or his beneficiaries if and when the death, injury, or sickbness
is occasioned or caused by any of the following:

(a) Willful intention to injures or kill oneself;
()Notorious negligence

(©) Commission of a crime by the line worker

(@ Unauthorized absence or abandonment of office

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The National
Electrification Administration, shall promulgate and issue the Implementing
Rules and Regulations within sixty (60) days upon approval of this Act.


SECTION 9. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, letters of instruction, administrative rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause — Should any part or provision of this Act
be held unconstitutional or invalid, all other provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation whichever is earlier.

Approved.