Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and this became a pandemic respiratory disease afterwards, the world never stop to salute the FRONTLINERS, who are dedicating and sacrificing their own safety in the battle against this infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
In the Philippines, everybody recognizes the doctors, nurses,
medics and other healthcare workers; the military
personnel, the barangay officials and barangay health workers as frontliners in
combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. They are considered heroes in today’s
catastrophe.
But let us not disregard the private sector employees,
who despite their own fear of this invisible but deadly virus are obliged to
work to ensure that basic necessities and services are available since the
imposition of the Enhanced Community
Quarantine (ECQ) and the stringent social distancing measures over the
entire Luzon last March 17, 2020. Of course, they too, are frontliners.
Power and energy sectors are included in the basic
services necessary during the ECQ. Electric distribution utilities such as
electric cooperatives are among those establishments that continue its
operation amid this unprecedented crisis.
Just like the recognized frontliners, employees of electric utilities are
frontliners as well for ensuring efficient and reliable supply of electricity
in the community.
Among the electric utility personnel, the linemen or the
line warriors are the most exposed workforce during this COVID-19 pandemic. Though
their risk of contamination is very high by going to and from different areas
for continued delivery of electric service, they have no option but to respond
to all the needs of their customers concerning power supply.
That is the significance of a lineman’s job. They see to it that electricity runs into every
home and business establishments. During
the ECQ period where almost everyone is confined at home and that the summer
heat is something to beat, let’s admit that electricity is vital.
Being a lineman is the most dangerous tasks in the power
industry. Why? It’s because they work directly
on electrical lines- even on live wires.
These people risk falls, sprains, fractures, burns, transformer
explosion, electrocution and other injuries that can be fatal at times.
These individuals work on top of an electric pole in whatever
prevailing weather conditions. Either
under the extreme heat of the sun or during bad weather, they brave every
situation and even tend to work the most hours of the day to quickly restore the power supply. Apparently, these line warriors continue to display
commitment to their profession no matter what the season is hence, it is so depressing
when some people demand too much for an instant service, not knowing that these
linemen possibly been on duty for long hours without rest most particularly
during bad weather.
Only few people understand that line warriors also get exhausted due to lack
of sleep and overworked. Of course, they
do! But they don’t expect to be recognized,
what they need is compassion. They are human and just like any other
individual, they need a good night’s rest and sleep! On situations that linemen are deprived of
these needs, the quality of service deteriorates and the extent of hazards is too
high.
How many electric utilities have mourned over the loss of a line
warrior while fulfilling his duties? It
is truly heart-breaking on the part of the management to grieve over the death
of any employee more so, when the untimely demise transpired while in the
performance of duty. However, accidents
do happen at times despite strict adherence to safety precautions and use of
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE ).
Every time is a perfect time to salute our line
warriors. Let us inspire them more
because they would love to know that they are being appreciated for their
humble contributions to the community. With
or without this COVID-19 pandemic, they are always ready to serve hence, let’s
SALUTE all the LINE WARRIORS!
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