Corporate Social Responsibility Visayan Electric Davao Light Sustainability

Davao Light linemen honored to serve during post-Odette power restoration

May 16, 2022

The forty-six (46) linemen who were deployed to help speed up power restoration efforts in Cebu, were given a warm heroes' welcome by Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. to honor their invaluable contribution and to celebrate their safe return to Davao City.

After three months of being away from family and friends, the linemen, hailed as “unsung heroes” were gathered for a thanksgiving dinner to celebrate their return after extending their services for the people of Cebu.

“Experience namo didto sa Cebu, kapoy pero makalingaw. Hago among trabaho pagkaadlaw pero pag-energize, maninggit ang mga tao. Lipay pud ka magtan-aw nga perti nilang lipaya.” (Our experience there in Cebu was tiring but fun. Our work was exhausting but once the area is energized, everyone will celebrate with loud cheers. You’ll be overjoyed to see them extremely happy),” said Dodong Mihelyano, one of the linemen, during his speech at the thanksgiving dinner.

Mihelyano also added that some even offered to give money just so they can prioritize restoration of power in their area but they politely refused, saying they were there to help and not for the money.

“Permiro namo didto ulan, muinit nya mabasa mi, mauga. Kapoy jud tinuod pero lipay mi nakatabang sa among mga kaigsuonan sa Cebu. (When we arrived there, it was still raining, then it would become hot, then we would get drenched by the rain again and eventually get dry. It is really exhausting but we are happy to be of service to our brothers and sisters in Cebu),” Mihelyano said.

Davao Light President and COO Rodger Velasco thanked all the linemen for their sacrifice, dedication and for going the extra mile outside of their comfort zones to help the Typhoon Odette victims.

“You are all heroes. You work tirelessly, without any complaints. No one surrendered and no one was picky with their tasks, whether it is manual or mechanized, the dedication remains. Thank you for your time and for extending help even outside our franchise area. We are beyond grateful and proud of you for embodying one of Davao Light's core values which is service excellence and letting our kababayans in Cebu experience how Davao Light linemen serve with integrity,” said Velasco.

With the help of Davao Light and other electric cooperatives' linemen, Visayan Electric, the electric distribution utility of Cebu, was able to energize or restore electricity supply to its customers.