MANILA — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a measure designating the first Monday of August as National Line Workers Appreciation Day to recognize personnel who keep the country’s power systems running under often dangerous conditions.

House Bill No. 7304 passed with 218 votes, reflecting broad bipartisan support. House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, one of the measure’s authors, said it seeks to give overdue recognition to line workers whose sacrifices are often unseen but vital to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.

“They are among the pillars of our economy. Without them, there would be no stable and sufficient electricity supply especially in times of weather disturbances, which we have a lot of with our country being in the typhoon belt,” Marcos said.

The measure tasks the National Electrification Administration (NEA), in coordination with electric cooperatives, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the National Transmission Corp., Manila Electric Co., and other companies employing line workers, to lead activities marking the annual observance. These include lectures, seminars, training sessions, and an annual national convention to promote safety, skills development, and public appreciation of line workers’ contributions.

The Department of Energy, private electricity distributors, transmission companies, and telecommunications firms are also encouraged to organize capacity-building activities in line with the observance.

Marcos noted that the measure complements House Bill No. 7239, which mandates compulsory insurance coverage for electricity and telecommunications line workers.

“They are among our workers who keep the economy going,” Marcos said. “Because of the important job they do and the risks they are exposed to, they should be entitled to and given commensurate benefits, including mandatory insurance coverage.”

Under HB 7239, mandatory life and accident or disability insurance benefits will range from P200,000 for small cooperatives to P2 million for transmission line or grid operators, with varying amounts for medium, large, extra-large, and mega-large operators.

With HB 7304’s approval on third reading, the measure is expected to be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, bringing Congress closer to institutionalizing a nationwide tribute to line workers.