A House of Representatives panel approved several measures seeking to enhance the knowledge, skills, and working conditions of lineworkers in the power utility industry.
During a virtual meeting recently, the House Committee on Energy, chaired by Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo, approved the substitute bills to House Bills 471, 472, and 3247.
HB 471 aims to address the shortage of linemen by providing free training through the establishment of a “Lineman Training Academy of the Philippines”.
The Lineman Training Academy of the Philippines shall offer free training.
The Lineman Training Academy of the Philippines shall offer free training to qualified candidates to become skilled power linemen to construct, maintain, and operate the country’s power grid.
The academy is also envisioned to play a vital role in providing skills development training to meet the present challenges in the power industry.
HB 472 proposes to declare the first Monday of August every year as National Linemen Appreciation Day.
Meanwhile, HB 472 proposes to declare the first Monday of August every year as National Linemen Appreciation Day, in recognition of the efforts of utility line workers.
The bill also espouses the conduct of a national convention for linemen to further their knowledge on the latest trends concerning their profession which shall be conducted simultaneously on the date of the proposed declaration.
Lastly, HB 3247 entitled “Lineworker Appreciation and Benefits Act”, seeks to provide proper compensation, additional benefits and insurance coverage for line workers.
The bill shall provide additional benefits in the event that the lineman is injured or disabled in the performance of his duty in another cooperative or private utility.