THANK you for keeping the lights on in our country.
This was the message of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III to to the country’s lineworkers–the indispensable force that keeps communities running and helps power the nation’s economic development.
“Sa inyong mga lineworkers, kayo ang nagpapanatiling bukas ang ilaw sa ating mga tahanan. Ngunit higit pa roon, kayo ang tumutulong magbigay-liwanag sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” Dy said in his message delivered on his behalf by Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand “Dinand” L. Hernandez.
The message was delivered during a program marking National Lineworkers Appreciation Day on August 3, the first Monday of August.
Dy said reliable and uninterrupted electricity serves as the foundation of the country’s infrastructure, education, healthcare, businesses, and employment.
“Simply put: energy is critical for a nation to function,” stressed the Speaker.
“Dahil kung walang kuryente, titigil ang mga pabrika. Hihinto ang mga negosyo. Mahihirapang maglingkod ang ating mga ospital. Hindi makakapag-aral nang maayos ang ating mga kabataan. At babagal ang pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya.”
The Speaker recognized the collective work of energy producers, regulators, electric cooperatives, distribution utilities and the personnel who build and maintain the country’s transmission and distribution systems.
But among these workers, he said, lineworkers personally face the dangers of climbing electrical poles and repairing power facilities to ensure that electricity reaches homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.
“Kayo ang mga taong bihirang mapansin kapag maayos ang lahat. Ngunit kayo rin ang unang hinahanap kapag nawalan ng kuryente,” he said.
“Kapag may bagyo, habang ang marami sa atin ay naghahanap ng ligtas na masisilungan, kayo naman ang lumalabas upang ibalik ang serbisyo sa ating mga komunidad. Kapag may kalamidad, hindi ninyo tinatanong kung gaano kahirap ang trabaho—ang iniisip ninyo ay kung gaano karaming pamilya ang naghihintay na muling magkaroon ng ilaw,” said the Speaker from Isabela.
The House chief acknowledged that lineworkers perform demanding and potentially deadly work, often under the most difficult conditions.
“Hindi po madali ang inyong propesyon. It is dangerous—and even fatal. Mabigat ang responsibilidad. Ngunit araw-araw ninyo itong ginagampanan nang may husay, dedikasyon, at tunay na malasakit,” he said.
Dy assured lineworkers that the House would continue pursuing policies that strengthen the energy sector, improve public services and protect the welfare of workers.
“Sa Bagong Kongreso, naniniwala kami na ang tunay na pag-unlad ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa dami ng mga proyektong natatapos o batas na naipapasa. Nasusukat din ito sa pagpapahalaga natin sa mga taong tahimik ngunit mahalagang nagpapatakbo ng ating bansa,” he said.
“Kaya patuloy naming susuportahan ang mga polisiya at batas na magpapalakas sa ating energy sector, magpapahusay sa serbisyong pampubliko, at magtitiyak na ang kapakanan, kaligtasan, at dignidad ng ating mga manggagawa ay laging inuuna.”
Dy concluded his message by expressing the nation’s gratitude to lineworkers for the sacrifices they make to keep electricity flowing, especially during emergencies and natural disasters.
“Sa inyong mga lineworkers, kayo ang nagpapanatiling bukas ang ilaw sa ating mga tahanan. Ngunit higit pa roon, kayo ang tumutulong magbigay-liwanag sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Maraming salamat sa inyong serbisyo.”
metrosundaily
