Philippine Daily Inquirer
An organizational restructuring at the Department of Energy is apparently leaving some employees “demoralized to the point of wanting to resign.”
The latest movement was the appointment of a lawyer Rino E. Abad as director of Energy Resources Development Bureau (EDRB)—a move that, some disgruntled employees claimed, had sidelined longtime employees like ERDB assistant director Ismael Ocampo. What made matters worse was the Feb. 20 memorandum issued by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla stating that Ocampo would be the new “In-Charge of Office” (ICO) for the ERDB, and named an alternate, Nenito Jariel Jr. The ICO title, it was alleged, refers to one in charge of mainly administrative work of signing attendance slips and leave forms.
Ocampo, a geologist who has worked with the DOE since 1979, confirmed by phone such realignment and the nature of his new work as ICO, further admitting to being demoralized. “Kami ang magtratrabaho. Sila ang tatanggap ng allowances (We are the ones working, but others will receive the allowances),” he said.
One informed observer noted that the appointment of Abad was made by the new DOE management without any consultation with the ERDB personnel, thus not taking into consideration the technical demands of the position. “The ERDB deals with upstream coal, oil, and gas operations, which can only be led by a person who has technical background and who has earned years of expertise in energy exploration, development and production,” the observer said.
The Inquirer sought to get Petilla’s side on the matter but repeated calls and texts were unanswered.
Another DOE employee said: “It would have been OK if [Abad was appointed] to a lower position, but they’re putting people in very sensitive positions—people who do not have a background at all in energy.”—Amy R. Remo source
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