REPRESENTATIVE Richard Lizama on Friday asked the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board of directors to explain the computation for water rates.
Appearing before the CUC board during its meeting on Friday, Lizama said, “Water rates are one of the most discussed issues during town hall meetings in various villages.”
“How do you compute the fuel charge for the water usage in the water billing?” Lizama asked. “Is there a way to make the public understand? Put the information out in the newspapers so that the people can figure it out themselves that they are not being cheated in their water bills.”
Noting water leaks on public roads, Lizama said: “When you have water leakage inside your own property, you have to pay for it. Who is paying for the leakage on the road? It does not make sense to anybody. How does CUC compensate for the water loss? The constituents need to know. I am asking the CUC board to help our community and make people understand, myself included.”
Lizama also reiterated the comment he made during a previous board meeting regarding the importance of filling up the vacancies in the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission, which has been inactive since 2017.
Lizama said on Guam, the members of the consolidated commission on utilities are elected. “If we need to do that here and put it on the ballot, we’ll do it. But I need your feedback and I need that feedback on hand.”
“Your comments are on the record,” CUC board chairwoman Miranda Manglona said.
“I would like to ask CUC’s management to please take into consideration Representative Lizama’s statements and try to see what we can do in issuing [information] to the public regarding the water rates,” she added.
As for CPUC, Manglona said, “I believe the administration is also trying their best to fill the vacancies.”
Acting CUC Executive Director Betty Terlaje noted that it is the governor who appoints CPUC members.
It is CPUC that approves CUC’s rate hike petitions, among other things.
In January 2012, CUC enacted a new water electric charge of $3.72 per 1,000 gallons, an increase from $3.54, effective March 5, 2013.
CPUC likewise approved a $0.72 charge per 1,000 gallons usage and a standard water service fee of $10.86 per customer.
CPUC enacted the water electric charge to “reimburse CUC for all power costs associated with the production, treatment and transportation of water and wastewater service.”
Commonwealth Utilities Corp. legal counsel Jose Mafnas Jr., right, back to the camera, with CUC board chairwoman Miranda Manglona, board members Jovita Paulino and Janice Tenorio at the special board meeting held Friday.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
Acting Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Betty Terlaje and chief accountant Rodolfo Urbano attend the special board meeting on Friday. CUC Executive Director Gary Camacho is on leave until June.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
