House approves mandatory insurance for power, telecom line workers

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a measure mandating compulsory insurance coverage for thousands of electrical and telecommunications line workers, with 197 lawmakers voting in favor.

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, who led the bill’s approval upon the guidance of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, said line workers employed by power producers, distributors and telecommunications firms play an indispensable role in economic growth.

“They are among our workers who keep the economy going,” Marcos said.

House Bill No. 7239 was co-authored by Marcos and Reps. Sergio C. Dagooc, Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, Vincenzo Renato Luigi R. Villafuerte, Tsuyoshi Anthony “Hori” G. Horibata, Terry L. Ridon, Edwin L. Guardiola, Agatha Paula Aguilar Cruz, Jose C. Alvarez, Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Presley C. De Jesus, Julius Cesar “Jay” V. Vergara, Ann Matibag, Zaldy S. Villa, Reynaldo V. Salvacion, Rufus B. Rodriguez, JC Rahman A. Nava, Isidro D. Lumayag, Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., Johanne Monich G. Bautista, Mark O. Cojuangco, King Collantes, Antonino B. Roman III, Adrian E. Salceda, Ma. Isabel L. Sagarbarria, Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” Acosta, Eulogio “Leo” R. Rodriguez, Leila M. De Lima, Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo and Nelson S. Legacion.

Marcos said line workers serve as a vital link to the efficient flow of electricity and telecommunications services and are exposed to significant occupational risks, warranting commensurate benefits, including mandatory insurance coverage.

House Bill No. 7239, titled “An Act providing for mandatory insurance coverage and benefits for all line workers,” seeks to institutionalize life, accident and disability insurance benefits for covered workers.

The measure defines “line workers” as individuals, regardless of employment status or method of engagement, who are directly responsible for the construction, installation, maintenance, reconstruction and repair of overhead and underground transmission and distribution systems, electrical substations and related facilities. Coverage includes those working for telecommunications companies, line contractors, private distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, and transmission or grid operators.

Under the bill, mandatory insurance coverage for electric cooperative workers is set at P200,000 for small cooperatives, P400,000 for medium, P600,000 for large, P800,000 for extra-large and P1 million for mega-large cooperatives.

Line workers employed by the National Transmission Corporation and transmission or grid operators will be entitled to a minimum insurance benefit of P2 million, while those working for private distribution utilities will receive at least P1.5 million.

Insurance premiums will be fully shouldered by employers. Companies already providing insurance equal to or exceeding the mandated amounts will no longer be required to secure additional coverage, while those offering less will be required to adjust benefits to comply with the law.

In addition to insurance coverage, the bill requires employers to provide retirement benefits, mortuary assistance, disability and partial disability benefits, and reimbursement of actual medical expenses in cases of death, accident, illness, disability or injury sustained in the line of duty.

The National Electrification Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, and Energy Regulatory Commission, in consultation with private distribution utilities, electric cooperatives and the telecommunications sector, will issue the implementing rules and regulations.