CUC chided for failing to install power in Sinapalo
Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona has criticized alleged inaction by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to install power and water line for residents of Sinapalo in the island municipality.
He urged utility officials to expedite the much-delayed projects which have already received funding from the central government.
In a letter to CUC Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez and Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero, the mayor expressed disappointment over alleged “inaction and inattention” by the government-owned utility corporation to public duty.
“We expect CUC to give proper attention to our problems. We will be happy to assist you if you wish to delegate your CIP responsibility to us,” Mr. Manglona wrote in the letter.
“The people are suffering from your poor performance to serve them. We must develop a ‘can do’ attitude,” he added.
But CUC’s information officer Pamela Mathis said they are “legally barred” from spending any money.
The U.S. Department of Interior “has not approved the concept or plan to reprogram funds for the [project] at this point in time,” she said in a statement.
The mayor’s complaint stemmed from failure by CUC to install power at the Sinapalo III subdivision despite appropriation of $175,000 by local legislators.
He said residents of the village have been awaiting the project and the mayor’s office has been getting all the flak because of the delay.
“[I]t has been CUC’s attitude to request for funds for your projects but when money is made available to you, you fail to implement the projects in a reasonable amount of time,” said Mr. Manglona.
Noting absence of reasons for the delay, he suggested expediting the project either through work by CUC power crew or hiring contractors to do the job.
“We do not want to see any more delays. We encourage action now. The good people of Sinapalo III are denied of this very essential public service,” added Mr. Manglona.
On the Sinapalo III water line project, he disclosed that despite efforts to get it moving, there is still no action from CUC.
