Sid Cabrera, chairman of the Saipan Agricultural Fair committee, said they are still waiting for Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio T. Dla Cruz, last year’s treasurer, to provide the financial report.
A farmer who regularly participates in the Agricultural Fair competition said the event generates sufficient funding from the entry fees.
“The organizers should be more transparent and provide the public the report of their expenses,” said the farmer, who declined to be identified.
He said the farmers demand a proper accounting of the funds generated and expended last year.
Cabrera said they obtained $20,000 for the 2009 Agricultural Fair.
He said he has been requesting Dela Cruz “several times” to submit the financial report and “ease the apprehension of farmers.”
There is a plan to elect a new set of officers for this year’s fair, but without a financial report they cannot proceed with the election, Cabrera said.
The tentative date for this year’s Agricultural Fair is May 29.
