- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. celebrated, along with the 120 electric cooperatives nationwide, the Linemen Appreciation Day August 1, with an awarding ceremony at its office in Bacolod City.
Ceneco lauded Ronie Villamor, who was earlier recognized as Outstanding Lineman of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (PHILRECA) and was one of the awardees in the 2022 Gawad Parangal Para Sa Mga Natatanging Linemen.
The power coop also awarded plaques of recognition to Villamor’s co-nominees, namely Melgar Magallanes, Jay Caracas, and Noel Bustillo.
Retiring linemen Rodolph Reyes, Geoffrey Villarosa, and Benjamin Fulgencio also received plaques of appreciation during the event, attended by Ceneco Board of Directors president Dwight Carbon, vice president Nicanor Gerald Jison, treasurer/secretary Noel Alarcon, and acting general manager Ervin Stan Leo Ticar.
“The BOD, management, and staff congratulate all our 157 Warriors of Light who, despite the pandemic and typhoons, continue to uphold their role and risk their lives in providing light to the member-consumer-owners,” the coop said in a press release. “They are the power behind our power, especially when Typhoon Odette hit our distribution lines.”
“Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of our Warriors of Light, we would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life. Life on the line is a dangerous commitment, but it is essential to the life of our community. The Warriors of Light deserve to be recognized every day,” Ceneco stressed.
The Linemen Appreciation Day is an activity spearheaded by PHILRECA, in recognition of all the linemen working at the electric distribution utility sector.
In 2020, PHILRECA filed House Bill 472 or an Act Proclaiming the First Monday of August of Every Year as Linemen Appreciation Day.
The National Electrification Administration also joined the rural electrification sector in paying tribute to all line workers of electric cooperatives (ECs) across the country.
Then NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong acknowledged the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices of line workers as essential personnel of power utilities in keeping the lights on in rural communities, especially during these challenging times./CGC
