Lights off at Tinian Airport • CPA says CUC placed lives of passengers in danger

Has the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation gone berserk?

The corporation’s recent disconnection sprees have included Tinian International Airport which placed safety of air transport passengers in peril, according to Ports Authority Board Chair Roman S. Palacios.

Mr. Palacios said CUC’s action could have resulted in a major air disaster had the airport’s stand-by generators failed to promptly kick-on.

In an interview, the board chairman disclosed CPA never had a delinquent account with the government-controlled power corporation, as revealed by a review of the agency’s previous finances.

Mr. Palacios said CUC cut the power at the Tinian air and sea ports without the benefit of a disconnection notice, adding that a billing statement which was due on March 15 was received by CPA only on Monday.

Mr. Palacios immediately signed a check to have power supply at the Tinian International Airport and the San Jose Harbor restored. The billing statement, dated Feb. 28, reached Tinian on Monday and the disconnection notice should be in effect tomorrow.

“We pay our utility bills on time, why did they disconnect our power supply when they could have gone through the proper procedure,” Mr. Palacios lamented.

“They never realized how great danger their action could have caused, considering that the power should have not been cut in the first place,” an apparently irked Mr. Palacios told an interview.

He noted that the current utility bill forwarded to CPA amounted only to $7,068.20. CPA utility accounts are paid on time and the recently received bill falls on the current statement released by the power corporation.

The negligence on CUC’s part could have caused tremendous problem for CPA since electricity supply also affects telephone lines. These lines are significant instrument for airport and seaport officials to keep air and sea traffic at pace.

In addition, Mr. Palacios said there was no attempt on CPA’s part not to settle the said amount but CUC could have been a bit careful in exercising its disconnection processes when it can put lives of people in jeopardy.

“Power is essential for aircraft landing and it should have not been done to us. We’re not part of the government, and the traveling public should be ensured of their safety,” he said.

CUC’s disconnection works Monday were aimed at Tinian and Rota government offices and delinquent customers on residential and commercial areas.

Earlier, Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona said by disconnecting the power supply of Rota, CUC has posed an imminent threat to public health, safety and welfare.

Mr. Manglona urged CUC officials to restore the electricity supply of local government agencies essential to public services and called on government officials, the legislature and utility officials to sit down and thresh out the problem particularly funding sources to settle utility debts incurred for Cycle four and five.

The utilities corporation was compelled to launch simultaneous disconnection works following failure to reach an agreement with the Department of Finance to guarantee minimum monthly payments.

But Finance Secretary Lucy Nielsen committed that $800,000 local revenues will be allocated to guarantee the fixed monthly payment of government offices to prevent disruption of government operation. (EGA)