Frank Camacho, Neighborhood Watch Task Force block captain in the village, said he was “so disappointed” with the “total disregard and irresponsible” behavior of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
He said his group of volunteers, including children, has been conducting a cleanup campaign every Saturday in Dandan.
Every time they conduct cleanup drive, their group always come across tree branches chopped and left behind along the roadside after CUC’s line clearing operation, Camacho said.
“This has been going on and we can no longer tolerate it. We need to stop this,” he told Variety.
Camacho also complained about CUC’s failure to patch up a hole it dug after fixing a broken pipe in the area.
“They have been digging near my house a year ago and up to now they have never returned it to its original condition,” he said.
Nunu Sanchez, a task force officer, said CUC should realize how residents exert so much effort to maintain the cleanliness of their village.
“They should know that even our children are working with us every Saturday,” he said.
CUC Executive Director Abe Utu Malae said they have an arrangement with another agency regarding the debris.
“But unfortunately because of the austerity measures that did not work out,” he said.
“Instead we are hiring a local hauler to perform the work for us,” he added.
“I apologize for this and please inform Mr. Frank Camacho that Mr. Gary Camacho is making arrangements to remove all the debris from the cut vegetation,” Malae said.
CUC power division and line and distribution manager Gary Camacho said because of lack of equipment they had coordinated with the Department of Public Works to clean up the debris.
Sanchez said they accept CUC’s apology but added that it should “pick up immediately” the debris after its line clearing operations.
He said he understands that the community should not always rely on the government especially in light of the CNMI’s economic crisis.
But he said the government can require all owners of business establishments, including apartments and stores, to have dumpsters.
He said each household should also be mindful about their trees and other vegetation that are blocking the view of motorists.
