From left, CUC legal counsel Tina Ngo, administrative coordinator Riley Anne Buenaventura and the new CUC board chair, Allen Perez.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
Allen Perez
ALLEN Michael Perez of Tinian is the new chair of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation board of directors.
Perez, who is also chief of staff for the Tinian mayor, was elected unanimously at a regular board meeting on Tuesday. As part of the board’s reorganization, Rosemond Santos-Sword, the newest CUC board member, was elected secretary.
Perez thanked the board for the “vote of confidence.”
“I want the public to know that we have very knowledgeable board members, especially in certain areas. We really feel that we’re going to be able to make some good changes moving forward,” he said.
He said CUC’s priority remains the same: “Sustainable power always goes at the top of the list. Compliance with the stipulated orders…[and] making sure that we have enough backup power source.”
Perez said the CUC board is also looking into the privatization of power generation and the integration of alternative energy.
“Those are the top agenda items that we are going to pursue, but it’s also important to understand that all of these issues are very, very complicated…and I know the public wants us to push these things, and we address them in every meeting, but there’s a process [when] dealing with a system that is very antiquated — we’re dealing with machines that are very antiquated. We’re dealing with procurement issues, getting approval from the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission and other issues. But we are of the same mind as the public and the administration in terms of what needs to be done,” Perez said.
Perez served as the acting CUC chair after former CUC Board Chair Janice Tenorio’s term ended on March 11, 2025.
His nomination to the CUC board was confirmed by the Senate in December 2022. CUC board members serve for four years.
Also attending the meeting on Tuesday were CUC Board Vice Chair Donald Browne; Treasurer Rufo Mafnas; board members Rebecca White, Miranda Manglona, and Francisco Rabauliman; along with CUC Executive Director Kevin Watson and Chief Financial Officer Betty Terlaje.
