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Teno assures payment for overdue utility bills
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Posted on Feb 09 2001
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has assured the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation that the government will continue to explore possible sources of funds that will be earmarked for the payment of its over $12 million power and water bills.
Mr. Tenorio said he has asked the Department of Finance to look for other sources of funding that may be used by the government to settle its outstanding utility bills with CUC, which earlier threatened to disconnect 40 government offices.
The governor this week convened his finance managers, headed by DOF Secretary Lucy Dlg. Nielsen, to ensure the continued supply of power in all government offices amid the disconnection notices from the utility corporation.
CUC earlier disclosed disconnection notices have been mailed out to 40 public offices for the government’s failure to settle overdue bills that now stand at $12.3 million.
Mr. Tenorio pointed out that the public should also be made aware that the administration is trying to settle its obligations with CUC on a installment basis.
According to the Commonwealth-controlled utilities corporation, the government paid $1.5 million and $1.6 million in utility bills in December 2000 and January 2001. The government has a delinquent account with CUC reaching $12.3 million.
He also appealed to CUC to consider that the Administration has been faced with a heavy and expensive task of paying for the utility bills of both the executive branches of government and the legislature, as well as the judicial branch.
The governor mentioned the need for the administration and the legislature to come together in trying to find ways to resolve the issue without jeopardizing the operations of government offices bound to be disconnected and the CUC, which currently faces severe funding problems.
The governor also reminded CUC that it takes little effort to unplug the power in several government offices but so much is expected to be lost if the action would result in the disruption of the delivery of public services.
