NREB chairman submits resignation

The chairman of the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB), lawyer Jose M. Layug, has reportedly submitted his resignation to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi effective April 30 this year, citing “health reasons” as his main justification for quitting the job. According to highly placed sources, “it would be of highest probability that his resignation will be accepted.” Following such development, there had been no hints yet as to who will be his replacement. Layug first served as Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary during the tenure of former Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras of the Aquino administration. He has been resurrected into the sector as NREB chairman under the current administration while also working as a senior partner to Puno & Puno law firm; and is concurrently a member of the transition committee of the market operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. (MMV)