Poblacion San Jose, Romblon – Linemens from Tielco conducted an activity to move the obstructed steel pole, a joint operation with DPWH has been implemented. Photo by TIELCO

Senator Win Gatchalian suggested to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Developing Infectious Diseases (IATF) the inclusion of electrical linemen and meter readers in the priority program of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program, emphasizing their importance in the country’s energy security and constant supply of power.

“Just like the other non-medical frontliners, linemen and meter readers who do house-to-house work also put their lives on the line by getting themselves exposed to those who could be possibly infected by the coronavirus. We request to the government to recognize their prioritization ahead of the mass vaccination,” Gatchalian said.

Their inclusion in the priority program is imperative as they visit the concerns of every household, Gatchalian stated, adding that linemen establish lines and perform maintenance, repair works, and other technical difficulties even under circumstances where stern health protocols are being made. The senator appended that meter readers will guarantee the proper reading of meters for billing descriptions. Meralco has 756 meter readers and 7,306 line personnel. Meanwhile, there are an approximated 9,680 linemen and 2,420 meter readers from electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), following the re-imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in areas notified under the NCR plus bubble, recently contested to the local government units (LGUs) to permit the execution of onsite electric meter reading exercises while assuring agreement to the prescribed health protocols. In trying to provide meter readers to do their job, the ERC stated this is aimed at evading Meralco from resorting to calculated billings again related to what occurred last year that only created a spike in electricity bills.

Meralco, for its role, said bill blow is dubious to happen again as meter-reading activities remain unbroken.

 “These linemen and meter readers do field work and put themselves in harm’s way because they need to continue to provide for their respective families as well. They too can be considered as essential workers as their line of work ensures the unimpeded delivery of services of power facilities,” Gatchalian stated.