CUC, Benavente said, also charged $900 for water and power consumption of a restroom in Paupau that has not been opened for so long but where CUC installed a “smart meter.”
In San Roque, CUC billed a basketball court for water usage even though there is no water connection in the facility, he said, adding that the basketball court is behind a fire station.
On April 5, Benavente said he informed CUC about this “overcharging” of government facilities which include parks, pavilions and basketball courts administered by his division.
CUC had yet to reply to Variety’s inquiry regarding the issue.
According to Benavente, CUC charged the Filipino community pavilion at the Civic Center at $1,200 for March and April.
But there was no billing from August to December, he said.
Benavente said CUC also disconnected the wrong basketball court in Gualo Rai.
The village has two courts — the other has no meter and is not under Parks and Recreation, but CUC disconnected its power.
A resident in Gualo Rai, who declined to be identified, expressed dismay over the disconnection which he said hampered an ongoing youth basketball tournament.
“It has only encouraged vandalism in the area because the basketball court now is very dark during night time,” the resident said.
Benavente said power bills ate up much of their budget which was already reduced to almost half from its original appropriation in the past.
He did not disclose figures, but said that his personnel now work for 64 hours only per pay period and can no longer look after all the facilities under the division.
Parks and Recreation is also supposed to maintaining the roadside from Marpi to Obyan, including the pavilions and other government structures there, he said.
With the reduction of their budget and limited manpower, he said they no longer maintain those areas and facilities not frequented by people.
He said they have also cut the power connection at some facilities that are not frequently used.
Benavente is urging members of the community, the private sector and non-government organizations to continue their cleanup campaign and help conserve energy, especially those who use the pavilions.
