Another go at turning around ailing RPN

<p>Barely a month in office, the Philippine government has pushed through </p><p>crucial changes in the management of its financially-strapped RPN-9 </p><p>station, while barely touching IBC-13. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The government has replaced the entire management of RPN-9. The only </p><p>casualty at IBC-13 was its former chief, movie and TV personality Boots </p><p>Anson-Roa. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>IBC-13's new chairman is Mr Renato Bella, while acting general manager </p><p>Bob del Rosario is awaiting confirmation as its general manager. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Newly-appointed RPN-9 president Lincoln Tan said all nine board members </p><p>were shown the door, but former station chairman Ruben Torres was </p><p>retained. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>As part of the government's privatisation push, Mr Tan must improve </p><p>RPN-9's precarious financial position and make it an attractive </p><p>investment asset. "Investors have shown no interest because the company </p><p>has no substantial assets. What we have are liabilities." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Implementing a cost-cutting drive may prove difficult. The station does </p><p>not have the resources to pay separation benefits to the staff it needs </p><p>to lay off since payroll accounts for 67 per cent of expenses. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Cash flow is very critical," said Mr Tan. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Delays in privatising the station have taken its toll on the </p><p>network. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>During former President Joseph Estrada's tenure, the station came close </p><p>to shutting operations when it failed to generate enough revenue to </p><p>continue broadcasting operations. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The last potential buyer to express an interest in the station was PLDT, </p><p>which eventually turned its attention to GMA. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>