The National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) has announced that its President and CEO Pio Benavidez has passed away on Tuesday due to a fatal heart attack.
A licensed mechanical engineer, “Boss Pio” served as NAPOCOR’s chief from April 2017 until his death. He had extensive exposure and expertise in planning, design and engineering; power plant operations and maintenance; research and development; and island missionary electrification and renewable energy.
Prior to leading the government-run power firm, he served as its Senior Vice President, wherein he was responsible for plant generations, pre & post privatization activities, and managing various departments such as technical and maintenance services, independent power producers, watershed management, and dams reservoir & flood forecasting among others.
In the private sector, Benavidez served as Executive Advisor of Marubeni-led Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corporation in 2014. He also was a board member of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, the governing body of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, from 2003-2004.
Benavidez, a native of Bato, Catanduanes, is survived by his wife, former Amb. Virginia Benavidez, his children Alexander and Rubianca, and daughter-in-law Jofren.