Inos swears in 3 PUC nominees

Acting governor Eloy S. Inos swore into office Thursday three Public Utilities Commission appointees who are expected to start buckling down to business, including reviewing proposed new rates by the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and pending contract awards, among other things.

In a brief ceremony, Inos swore into office PUC commissioners Zenie P. Mafnas representing Tinian, Joseph C. Guerrero representing Saipan, and Oscar P. Quitugua representing Rota.

Quitugua was a member of the CUC board of directors and is currently with the Public School System on Rota.

“I recognize that this is going to be a tough job,” he said, but added that he is willing to serve once again the CNMI people. “I will do what I can to help the CNMI become much better.”

Mafnas is a grant writer for the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., has a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting, and a bachelor of science degree in accounting, all from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

She described CUC’s crisis as “great challenge.”

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial placed CUC under a state of emergency again over financial, procurement and hiring crisis.

Guerrero, meanwhile, is director of finance at August Healthcare Group LLC, which runs Saint Michael’s Medical Response. He has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Oregon, and graduated magna cum laude from Washington State University when he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business.

“I look forward to upholding the duties and responsibilities bestowed on us,” he said, adding that he would ensure transparency.

Inos, in an interview with reporters, said having a PUC quorum does not necessarily mean that the CUC emergency declaration will be lifted.

“Most of the issues addressed in the emergency declaration are operational issues, policy issues. PUC is more a regulatory agency and in that manner they will be involved when it comes to regulatory issues…CUC will have to first propose a rate change then PUC of course has to hear it,” he said, adding that PUC will also have to review CUC contracts. Acting governor Eloy S. Inos swears into office Zenie P. Mafnas, Joseph C. Guerrero, and Oscar P. Quitugua as new members of the Public Utilities Commission on Thursday at the Office of the Governor.