THE “war” over Compact Impact funds continues.
Saipan lawmakers say they will not allow Tinian to use the $2 million Compact Impact funds to complete the construction of its high school.
Days after the Saipan and Northern Islands legislative delegation adopted Local Resolution 13-6 requesting Gov. Juan N. Babauta to justify his decision to allocate the fund for Tinian High School, the delegation yesterday adopted another resolution “designating” the expenditure of the money to the Public School System, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Public Safety.
Under Local Resolution 13-6, which was introduced by House Vice Speaker Manuel A. Tenorio, R-Saipan, all present and future Compact Impact funds should go to the three agencies. Fifty percent of the fund will be allocated to PSS, 30 percent will go to Public Health and the remaining 20 percent will be for DPS.
Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero said he will send a letter to the governor asking him to identify how many Micronesians are on Rota and Tinian and how they are “impacting” the two islands. He said he will provide copies of his letter to Rota and Tinian officials.
“I want them to stand up in front of me and justify it,” said Guerrero, American Reform-Saipan.
Under the Compacts signed by the U.S. and the Freely Associated States—Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia—FAS citizens can freely migrate to America and its territories. In return, the federal government reimburses the states and territories that accommodate the FAS migrants.
Delegation Chairman Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, and several Saipan lawmakers believe that since most Micronesians stay on Saipan, the island should get most of the Compact Impact funds.
House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider saw the importance of the fund’s “proportionate use.”
Hofscheneider, R-Saipan, said that problems and issues could have been avoided “had the governor solicited the Legislature’s assistance” on the use of the funds.
“We have monies from capital improvement project funds that could be reappropriated for Tinian to complete its school,” he said.
Senate Vice President Jose M. Dela Cruz, D-Tinian, and Senate Floor Leader Joaquin G. Adriano, D-Tinian, said they understand the concerns of the Saipan delegation.
But Dela Cruz and Adriano said the $2 million fund has been already deposited in the account of PSS for Tinian High School’s use.
The two Tinian senators also asked for Saipan lawmakers’ understanding and consideration.
“I agree that the Compact Impact fund should go to the island which hosts the most number of Micronesians. I hope they agree that the $2 million will be used for our school and in the future or starting next year, all Compact Impact funds will go to Saipan,” he said.
Dela Cruz urged the members of the Saipan delegation to support the administration’s plan for the school.
