w Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8366

Introduced by 1-CARE Representative Carlos Roman L. Uybarreta
Explanatory Note

Being located in what is known as the Typhoon Belt, the Philippines is one
of the most prone countries to the onslaught of natural disasters and calamities.
‘The Philippines has consistently been in the top five (5) of most disaster-prone
countries. In 2017 alone, 22 tropical cyclones entered the Philippine Area of
Responsibility (PAR) while 6 major earthquakes with the magnitude greater than
6.0 shook the grounds. Natural hazards like these pose a great danger to the
general welfare of the people as well as destruction to property and
infrastructure. Accordingly, electricity, which plays a very vital role in our
everyday lives, is one of the first to go down after such occurrences. Its
importance is magnified as rescue and relief operations and ensuring national
security after a calamity depend greatly on the availability of electricity.

As such, the national government has made it a top priority to ensure the
continuous supply of electric service after natural disasters and calamities. In
2002, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), headed by then
Administration and Presidential Adviser on Rural Electrification, Fr. Francisco
Silva, launched the Task Force Kapatid (TFK). The TFK is a volunteer service
whereby Electric Cooperatives (ECs) work together to mobilize their personnel
and logistics to assist other ECs needing immediate rehabilitation and
reconstruction of their infrastructures and distribution lines damaged by natural
disasters and calamities to restore their services.

The TFK has effectively mobilized thousands of volunteers for the
immediate restoration of power in provinces badly damaged by natural disasters
and calamities. These volunteers have worked for hours on end under adverse
and unforgiving conditions in disaster-stricken areas in order to immediately
restore power in those calamity and disaster affected areas. To this day, there
are at least twenty-seven (27) TFKs that were mobilized, with TFK-Lanao del Sur
being the first to be mobilized. It has since benefited twenty-one (21) lakeshore
barangays and re-energized eight (8) towns in the said province. In 2013, the
world’s strongest typhoon to make a landfall in the Philippines, Yolanda, set
record-high damages to the infrastructures of ECs causing nationwide power
outages. Thereafter, TFK-Yolanda was immediately mobilized setting a record
high of around one thousand two hundred (1,200) volunteers from seventy (70)
ECs and eleven (11) industry partners who worked 24/7 to restore power. TFK-
Yolanda volunteers tirelessly and painstakingly worked to rehabilitate damaged
power lines, dig holes, and erect poles while helping burying dead bodies and
clearing the streets of tons of debris without due regard to their own security
and safety.

For their bravery, the House of Representatives and the Department of
Energy passed a resolution to commend the Task Force Kapatid for their
heroism, selflessness and sacrifice.


‘The TFK not only are confronted with adverse conditions left behind by
typhoons or calamities but they are also put to the danger of losing lives and
limbs. Such is the case when a lineman, Jomar D. Betonio of Southern Leyte
Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOLECO), was deployed as part of Typhoon Kapatid
Lawin to restore the services of Cagayan I Electric Cooperative Inc., (CAGELCO
). Mr. Betonio died of electrocution while fixing a power line in Solana, Cagayan.
Another lineman-member of the Typhoon Kapatid Lawin also suffered from
electrocution but fortunately survived.

The dangers and unfortunate incidents which may befall upon the TFK
has not hindered them from continuing to help others. Once again, they have
responded to the call of the cooperatives stricken by Typhoon Ompong. The TFK
Ompong is composed of 105 linemen from various electric cooperatives deployed
to Cagayan to help in the restoration of power.

Indeed, TFK volunteers have been giving selfless and generous service
notwithstanding the dangers they face each time they are deployed. TFK
volunteers should have been given what is due them a long time ago. Granting
them a hazard pay is a way of returning the favor and showing gratitude and
appreciation for all the help that they have extended.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Kom L. Uybarreta

Representative, 1-CARE Party-List



Republic of the Philippines
OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

HO!

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8366

Introduced by 1-CARE Representative Carlos Roman L. Uybarreta

AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO ALL LINEMEN VOLUNTEERS OF THE
TASK FORCE KAPATID AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the ‘Task Force Kapatid Hazard Pay Act
of 2018.’

Section 2. Every bonafide member of the Task Force Kapatid shall be granted a
hazard pay upon deployment, in the amount of Two Thousand Pesos (2000.00
PHP).

Section 3. The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act
shall be charged to the appropriations of the National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC) under the General Appropriations Act.

Section 4. The NDRRMC shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act within six (6) months from the approval
thereof.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.