By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

SAYING the government “remains broke,” Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on Friday said he has not lost faith in the CNMI’s potential, adding that “we will have better times — it is only a matter of time.”
However, Fitial said the community was to brace for more cost-cutting measures which may include a possible reduction in the government workforce and no pay for legal holidays.
In his 24-page State of the Commonwealth Address which he delivered over nearly an hour on Friday at the multi-purpose center, the governor said the austerity holiday law which shuts down government offices every other Friday to reduce the payroll by 10 percent will not be extended after it expires on Sept. 21, 2007.
However, the governor said the measure will be replaced by no pay for CNMI holidays.
“I recommend the replacement of the biweekly ‘austerity Fridays’ at the end of this fiscal year….I asked the Legislature to enact a substitute, and more equitable program, to reduce costs. I propose that government employees not be paid on CNMI holidays unless they are required to work, and do in fact work, on those holidays,” the governor said.
The governor also hinted that his administration will privatize more public services.
“Looking beyond this fiscal year, we must investigate a more comprehensive restructuring of the way in which we conduct public business. Privatization of government agencies is one such approach. I have appointed a task force to examine the pros and cons of privatizing the management of public health services in the commonwealth and I look forward to receiving its report,” he said.
The governor at the same time called on the legislative and judicial branches to examine their budgets as well.
“Drastic circumstances require drastic actions. The executive branch…cannot be expected to bear the full brunt of efforts to reduce government expenditures. I call upon the legislative and judicial branches to acknowledge the seriousness of our economic crisis and to share in the sacrifice necessary to deal with it,” he said.
While the governor delivered his address, a resident prominently displayed a huge sign on his pick-up truck calling for Fitial’s recall.
The governor urged people to help his administration achieve its goals.
“I have not lost sight of our aspiration and my dream is still very much alive but realizing the dream will not be possible without help…. I need the community’s support. I need the Legislature’s support. I need the private sector’s support. I need to support of my friend, the Washington representative,” he said.
“I ask for your patience and understanding as we move toward the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. I strongly believe that by working together, we will find the energy, the determination and the commitment to bring our islands back into the light of prosperity and the life of abundance,” he added.
Despite the islands’ worsening economic conditions, the governor said there are still potential investors interested in the CNMI.
He said two-casino investors — Marianas Resort Development Corp. and Bridge Investment Group — are pushing ahead with their casino-hotel-resort investments on Tinian.
Marianas Resort expects its multi-million-dollar project to be finished in about two years, while Bridge Investment anticipates bringing in many Chinese tourists to its proposed casino by 2010.