The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca) is optimistic that Senate Bill (SB) 2303 providing mandatory insurance coverage and benefits to linemen in the power sector will pass into law.
Philreca said that under the proposal, private distribution utilities, electric cooperatives (ECs) and transmission or grid operators are mandated to provide insurance cover for power line workers.
The bill also requires employers of line workers to grant additional benefits, such as retirement and disability benefits, death and burial assistance and medical expense reimbursements, among others.
“Our line workers risk their lives every day to ensure that our homes and businesses have a steady supply of electricity, so it is our moral obligation to provide them all the necessary assistance and benefits they deserve,” said Janeene Depay-Colingan, Philreca executive director and general manager.
Philreca said House Bill No. 7561 or the Line Workers Insurance and Benefits Act, a parallel measure to SB 2303, has been approved by the House of Representatives on its third and final reading.
The umbrella group said electric cooperatives typically only extend certain benefits like emergency assistance to line workers.
