Duty Calls: Fearless Pursuit of a Man

“The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grow brave by
reflection”- Thomas Paine

“I never thought of doing this role again, after I was assigned to another
department way back then, far from being part of PDA”. He pleasantly recalled the
timeline of his past experiences working with the organization.

It is always fascinating to meet people who have burning passion towards work,
family, and life in general because you will get to learn new insights and life- lessons that
captivate and inspire a soul. Their success stories are interesting however; knowing the
secrets behind their triumphs is truly motivational!

24 years of dedicated service by an ordinary man who has pulled- off an

extraordinary accomplishment on his chosen field. A father of two, and a husband to a
wife who need his time at home versus the workloads he has to execute was the most
challenging. Balancing both worlds never came that easy. For him, living life with these
complexities is something that he already embraced the moment he committed himself
in service to FIBECO.

This 39 year-old gentleman is Richard Dumagpe. He started his early career with
the cooperative in the year 2004. Going back, his first designation was as a lineman and
has only worked for eight (8) months under Technical Services Department (TSD). After
sometime serving with the TSD, everything started to take shape when he became part
of the Pilferage Detection and Apprehension (PDA) section, under the supervision of the
Institutional Services Department (ISD).

While being in the team, he received an order of transfer that has slightly altered
his career path. He was assigned to serve in Quezon sub-office under maintenance
section. His transfer had opened up another window of opportunity to explore. These
challenges were the contributing factors to strive even harder to hone his innate ability.
“Working with the maintenance is quite taxing yet, it offered room for creativity”, he
added. To be immersed on things he has never done before allows him to create a space
for greater learning experience and gives him an inspiration to work more on areas that
need to be improved.

After being detailed at the maintenance for the period of three (3) years, he was
sent back to the main office in Maramag, but was tasked to join in another team; this
time is with the line construction crew. This has paved way for another crucial role in
the timeline of his entire career that had made him more stanch. It was in the year 2013
when he regained his former assignment as Pilferage Detection and Apprehension (PDA)
member. PDA is designed by law to aid the EC in the seamless service in electrification,
to safeguard the property of the cooperative, and to bring in violators to the bounds of
law.

“We were at the brink of a hostage-like situation during one of our operations to
one consumer in Barangay San Miguel”, he narrated. In its entirety, the job is neither
about simple math nor a single tap of a button. For PDA team, risk has always been their
twins. In most cases, during the time of apprehension, the presence of authorities such
as the policemen can be barely observed. Oftentimes they come to apprehend with no
less than a simple electrical tool on their hands; vulnerable to what lies ahead of them.
An art of dealing will always be at the top of their consideration. Protecting their persons
especially from the perils of man, as much as protecting the gains of the utility dictates a
heavier responsibility coupled by a sound decision- making. These complex tasks were
so intertwined that it is almost inseparable from personal to work- related matters.

No one can stop one’s burning desire to serve for the interest of many. By the end
of the day, Richard always finds his comfort with his family that has fueled his desires,
inspires, and pushes him towards his limits, plus a nurturing organization that helps him
grow and provides his needs. No matter what it takes for him, at any expense it would
cost him, his fearless quest in the call of duty continues!