GPA recognizes CUC for helping after Mawar

The Guam Power Authority presented Tuesday a certificate and resolution expressing recognition and gratitude to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. for assisting GPA’s restoration of the power distribution after Typhoon Mawar’s devastation in Guam.

GPA assistant general manager of operations Jennifer Sablan also handed the same certificate and resolution to Pohnpei Utilities Corp. for providing post-Mawar recovery assistance to Guam, during the 30th Pacific Power Association Annual Conference And Trade Exhibition at the Crowne Plaza Resort’s Hibiscus Room Tuesday morning.

Sablan said CUC and Pohnpei Utilities Corp. assisted GPA during post Mawar power restoration.

Sablan said last May 24 Typhoon Mawar made a landfall in Guam with sustained winds of approximately 150 miles per hour.

She said Mawar was the strongest to strike the island in at least two decades.

Sablan said the typhoon brought powerful winds and torrential rains, uprooting trees, damaging homes and businesses, and cutting electricity and access to water supply for most residents.

She said their mutual aid partner, CUC, answered Guam’s call for assistance on June 4, 2023.

Sablan said CUC visiting crew of 12 linemen and groundmen assisted GPA’s power recovery efforts and remained on the island until the job was completed, which lasted for two months.

Sablan said GPA’s governing board, Consolidate Commission on Utilities, issued a resolution that recognizes and expresses appreciation to CUC, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and CUC acting executive director Betty G. Terlaje for their contributions to GPA in post Mawar restoration efforts.

GPA also offered a certificate of recognition to other top CUC officials.

Terlaje said when Mawar struck, they were ready to assist Guam, but unfortunately Rota was also hit by the typhoon so they had to take care of Rota before they could fly out and help GPA.

“But there was no hesitation. This is the partnership that we have and that’s why like to date, this GPA partnership gets us through these difficult times,” Terlaje said.

She said GPA helped and assisted the CNMI during Typhoon Soudelor in 2015 and then during Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018.

“Without GPA’s help to CUC, [we] would not have recovered as quickly and as significantly,” Terlaje said.

She said it was an opportunity for CUC to reciprocate the assistance that GPA and Guam have given to the CNMI.