CUC-Rota on the verge of meltdown?

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. operations on Rota are seriously suffering due to financial problems, CUC’s top official on Rota said yesterday.

Charles A. Manglona, CUC deputy director for Rota, informed the board of directors that the corporation’s Rota office is encountering problems with its operations and is now “on the verge of not delivering efficient services.”

“We must bring to your attention that CUC Rota has requested some important supplies and materials in order to perform basic repairs and maintenance, but up to this time we are unsuccessful in getting our entire request due to austerity measures,” he said in his report the board.

The areas most affected by the budget problems are power distribution, power generation and the water division.

“Sometimes, we are unable to do regular service requests and critical repair works. As a result, employees are coming to work but they are unable to perform some of their important jobs, and so they have to do other related duties,” Manglona said.

“If we do not receive the necessary parts and equipment to operate, neither can our personnel properly do their jobs. Our operations are hindered due to our immediate needs and to prolong this situation will only cost more money to CUC,” he added.

In response, the CUC board members asked Manglona to come up with a list of priorities for CUC Rota to guide them in their decision-making.

Board member Joe Torres also expressed concern about Rota’s continued lack of representation in the CUC board of directors.

No one has so far been appointed to replace Laura Manglona, who left the board last March after representing Rota for almost 10 years.

In related news, Rota residents who are currently getting no power service from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will need to wait a little longer, as CUC recently canceled the bidding for the power distribution project for several Rota villages.

Deputy director Manglona reported yesterday that the bidding for power distribution projects in Ginalagan to Calie, Teneto to Ponia, and Teneto to Ka’an has been canceled, according to CUC procurement regulations.

He explained that the project was initially opened to bidders two years ago but due to easement claims filed by some residents whose properties will be affected by the construction, CUC was not able to move ahead with the project.

The easement claims are now resolved, Manglona said, but the problem now is funding.

“When we bid this project out two years ago, it was supposed to cost only $200,000 but a lot has happened over the past two years. Prices have gone up, and we need to re-bid this project,” he said.

Further, CUC currently has only $180,000 available for the construction of the power distribution facility. Thus, the corporation will need the CNMI Legislature’s help to reprogram some funds to cover the difference.

If things go as planned, construction could begin in six months, Manglona said.

“This is a very important project for Rota residents. It will extend power service in areas that are currently not able to avail of electricity from CUC. Right now, people in these villages are relying on their own small generators for power,” he added.