Napocor embarking on 3-year dev’t program

State-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) is embarking on a three-year organizational development program, which is hoped to bring the company back to profitability by the end of 2014.

In a report, Napocor said that under the Ripple Program, it would come up with several initiatives that were not part of the power firm’s current mainstream operations, including eco-tourism projects, flood control and dam safety operations.

These projects and programs will not only support the mainstream operations—power generation—but will also help set the direction that the state firm will undertake in the next several years.

One of the key result areas, or KRAs, would involve the implementation of the community and social relations aspect of the flood control project at the Balo-i Plains, which will maximize the potential of the Agus 2 hydroelectric power plant.

Another KRA is the renewed drive to privatize areas covered by the Napocor’s missionary electrification arm, the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), starting with the financially viable and thus more attractive areas, such as Palawan and Mindoro.

Napocor said it was planning to formulate a more updated safety program to ensure the safe operations of its dams and reservoirs, and to take on programs that will educate surrounding host communities.

Napocor is likewise eyeing the development of eco-tourism destinations in the 11 watersheds under its jurisdiction, starting with the Angat watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Such projects are hoped to promote to tourists the areas’ natural landscape, local culture and traditions and their flora and fauna.

Napocor will also focus on improving its financial operations, particularly in the computerization of its financial data, and its collection efficiency, particularly in the SPUG areas.

It is also set to come up with projects aimed at improving human resource, in terms of “re-engineering” performance management system to better measure group and individual productivity compared to the company’s overall corporate performance.

On human resource development, Napocor is planning to start productivity and work improvement training programs to increase efficiencies.

Other KRAs will focus on career development; creation of business units that will offer specialized services like plant electrical and mechanical maintenance; and establishment of a power utility institute that will offer post-graduate degrees, all of which are designed to bring in the much-needed income for Napocor.