The CNMI sent off yesterday to Guam 12 members of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. power line crew\u2014most of them storm response veterans\u2014to assist the Guam Power Authority\u2019s restoration of the power distribution after Typhoon Mawar\u2019s devastation in Guam. <\/p>\n
Speaking at a news briefing at the CUC conference room last Friday afternoon, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said the CUC team is ready to go down and help the CNMI\u2019s brothers and sisters in Guam.<\/p>\n
Palacios said the CUC crew will be bringing with them some CNMI flags that they will fly, similar to when Guam flew their flags when they assisted the Commonwealth during recovery efforts after typhoons. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe want you to be proud of who you are, who you are representing. And we\u2019re very proud of you. We are very confident in your ability to go down and help our brothers and sisters in Guam,\u201d the governor told the 12-man CUC crew.<\/p>\n
Mawar\u2019s powerful winds and strong rains last May 24 severely damaged Guam\u2019s power system, affecting the power supply to over 52,000 customers. <\/p>\n
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang also attended the press briefing last Friday, while Fr. Rey Rosal led a prayer to bless the members of the crew.<\/p>\n
CUC board chair Janice A. Tenorio announced that GPA will be taking care of the CUC team and will be putting them at the Hyatt Guam.<\/p>\n
Acting CUC executive director Betty G. Terlaje said the CUC crew will be in Guam for about 30 days. Should an extension be needed, then they will extend it again for another 30 days.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have backup for the next batch,\u201d Terlaje said. <\/p>\n
She said this collaborative effort is the result of a mutual agreement between CUC and GPA for emergency assistance after a major disaster.<\/p>\n
Terlaje said CUC first focused its efforts on Rota for eight to nine days to restore power and water services to its customers after Mawar\u2019s destruction.<\/p>\n
With Rota\u2019s utilities now fully restored and operations back to normal, Terlaje said it is time to lend a helping hand to \u201cour brothers and sisters on Guam,\u201d just as GPA extended their assistance to CUC after Typhoon Soudelor in 2015 and Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018 destroyed the power distribution system on Saipan and Tinian.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize the importance of standing together with our sister utility companies in the Marianas and Pacific region during times of adversity,\u201d Terlaje said.<\/p>\n
She thanked GPA general manager John Benavente and the rest of the GPA family for their collaboration, hospitality, and for welcoming CUC\u2019s line crew during this effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir support enables us to reciprocate the assistance we have received in the past, strengthening the bond between our utilities and reinforcing the spirit of unity in the face of natural disasters,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Michael Itibus Kukkun, a foreman and leader of the 12-man CUC crew, said in an interview that 10 of them are from Saipan and two are from Rota.<\/p>\n
Kukkun said it will be his second time as a member of the CUC crew to assist Guam as he was also with the CUC team that was sent to Guam after Typhoon Pongsona\u2019s destruction in 2002. <\/p>\n
Kukkun said many of this current CUC team members will have this trip as their first time to help Guam, but most of them are veterans to storm response. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it was [Typhoons] Soudelor and Yutu, they (GPA) came up and helped us. So we have to help our sister island in return,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Tenorio said in a later interview that the 12-man CUC crew is the first group going to Guam, and that they may send another group later.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s like a rotation. A lot of them are veterans, highly qualified, and certified,\u201d the chair said.<\/p>\n
Terlaje said nine are certified power linemen and three are going to be certified. <\/p>\n
Terlaje said GPA needs power linemen and groundmen. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe gave them the best groundmen that can also do linemen work,\u201d she said. \u201cAnywhere you put them, they are capable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Terlaje said they are committed to assist GPA for 60 days, but they are processing on a 30-day basis.<\/p>\n
Terlaje noted that when GPA was here to assist during Yutu, they were here for almost three months. <\/p>\n
She said their agreement in place with GPA allows them to provide each other support in time of need during disasters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are there for them, they are here for us. We are going to help them with what they need,\u201d Terlaje said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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