Napocor chief’s resignation accepted

President Arroyo has approved the retirement of National Power Corp. (Napocor) president Rogelio Murga, who turned 70 years old last Aug. 19.

Murga submitted his courtesy resignation to Mrs. Arroyo last May.

However, Energy Secretary Vincent Perez said Mrs. Arroyo had made Murga’s retirement effective at year’s end.

Speaking to reporters at Malacañang yesterday, Perez said Murga has no replacement yet, and that Mrs. Arroyo has asked him to immediately search for a new Napocor president.

"The President has hoped that Mr. Murga might continue his outstanding work for Napocor," he said.

"She, however, has chosen to honor the request of Mr. Murga that he be allowed to spend more time with his family.

"She (President) underscored that the leadership of Mr. Murga will be greatly missed, especially since the retirement is taking place at a time when the Napocor is at an important chapter in its corporate history."

Perez said Mrs. Arroyo has asked Murga to do three specific tasks before he retires from the service at year’s end.

"That before he retires, he would complete the task of streamlining the organization, strengthen the mechanisms for cost-reduction and cost-savings, and pave the way for the speedier privatization of the company’s generation assets," he said.

Perez said since Mrs. Arroyo recruited Murga in January last year, he was able to cut down Napocor’s personnel to 3,679 from 15,794 through a "very attractive" retirement program. — Marichu Villanueva, Donnabelle Gatdula