The Department of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Agriculture can no longer provide services to ranchers and farmers if they can’t pay $4.50 for a job order, a Tinian resident told Variety.
This situation, according to the resident who declined to be identified, has affected the livelihood of farmers.
“It looks like government services are being privatized so we need to pay for them in addition to our taxes,” he said.
DLNR Resident Director Richard Farrell confirmed that they have no capability to extend free services to the community.
Since April this year, he said they no longer have fuel for their equipment as their purchase orders are still being processed.
He denied they are charging $4.50 for a job order but he said any client who requests the use of equipment has to pay $12 per hour and buy their own fuel.
“The ranchers should understand our current budget situation,” Farrell said, as he cited the recent report of the Department of Finance and Office of Management of Budget which informed Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz that the island is facing a $287,913 personnel budget deficit.
Farrell asked ranchers and farmers to “bear with us until the situation is resolved.”
He said as soon as the problem is rectified, services will be back to normal.
“If they have any questions they should come to my office,” he added.
