Napocor chief resigns

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has confirmed the resignation of National Power Corp. (Napocor) president Cyril del Callar due to health reasons.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes had informed President Arroyo that he received the resignation letter of Del Callar.

Dureza pointed out that Del Callar had previously signified his intention of resigning as president of Napocor in June 2007.

It was not clear why the President did not act on the 2007 resignation of Del Callar. Dureza said Mrs. Arroyo has not yet acted on the current motion.

Based on the memorandum of Reyes to the President, the resignation of Del Callar would take effect by the end of the month.

“I have been given that copy, in other words it is still at that stage when a memo had been sent to the President. We will await what action the President will have on this,” Dureza said.

Considering that Mrs. Arroyo has not yet acted on the resignation of Del Callar, Dureza said that there are no indications yet as to who would take over the top post at Napocor.

Dureza, however, expressed confidence that the President would be able to find a suitable replacement for Del Callar if ever his resignation is accepted.

Meanwhile, Dureza announced the appointments of three officials of the Department of Energy.

Department of Agrarian Reform undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan was appointed as undersecretary of the DOE replacing Francisco Delfin Jr.

Ampatuan had held various positions under the Arroyo administration including the executive director of the Office of Muslim Affairs, secretary-general of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority.

Also appointed as undersecretary of the DOE was Loreta Ayson who replaced Melinda Ocampo.

Ramon Allan Oca, who along with Ayson were previously appointed as acting undersecretaries of the DOE, was appointed as assistant secretary in place of Annete Rafael.

Mrs. Arroyo appointed Del Callar as Napocor president in March 2005, after serving as undersecretary for power-related policies and programs of the Department of Energy.

Prior to joining government, Del Callar was a member of the RAV Saguisag & Associates law firm.

He also served as chief legal officer for the presidential committee on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

He graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.