Edwin Aldan
TINIAN Mayor Edwin P. Aldan issued the following statement on Wednesday:
“As we face significant financial challenges in the year ahead, the recent budget bill signed into law by our Governor has imposed limitations that will impact on our ability to serve our communities effectively.
“A few key issues and concerns pertaining to the FY 2024 budget for the Municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan are the vetoing of 24 FTEs under the Tinian Mayor’s Office, the lack of operational funding for government departments and agencies, the utility payments that was anticipated to be covered by the central government, and the interisland medical referral funding.
“The vetoing of 24 FTEs under the Tinian Mayor’s Office is worrisome, as these individuals play a crucial role in maintaining the public services extended to our community. The larger concern with the removal of the 24 FTEs under the CNMI General Fund is the funding for these positions in FY2025. If the CNMI’s revenue does not increase it will prompt the complete removal of the 24 FTEs for the second senatorial district.
“Furthermore, the lack of funding for government operations is an issue that raises similar concerns. Our government departments and agencies rely on adequate financial resources to carry out their daily responsibilities diligently. Insufficient funding can lead to reduced staffing levels, hampering our ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and address the needs of our citizens effectively. It may force us to make tough choices, such as cutting back on essential programs that provide vital support or limiting our investment in infrastructure development that promotes economic growth. Given our current financial constraints, cost-cutting measures will more than likely be implemented to cover for utility payments, fuel, communications, etc. that are critical to the functioning of our departments and agencies to prevent any disruption of essential services.
“The removal of the inter-island medical referral assistance is a particularly distressing development. Our residents, especially those that reside on the islands of Rota and Tinian, depend on access to comprehensive medical care, often necessitating referrals to specialized facilities on other islands. I strongly urge the Executive Branch and the Legislature to work with CHCC to assist in reinstating or addressing this vital assistance to safeguard the health and well-being of the CNMI residents residing on Rota and Tinian.
“Lastly, it is of utmost importance that our first responders are exempted from the current austerity measures to ensure their continued capability to serve our community optimally. This has always been a common practice for the CNMI to ensure that essential departments such as DPS and DFEMS respond to any emergencies at any given moment. I firmly believe they should be exempted from the reduction of work hours in FY 2024.
“As a government, we are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth functioning of various public services and programs. However, this year’s budget will pose significant financial challenges for CNMI departments and agencies in this fiscal year. While difficult decisions lie ahead, we are committed to approach them with careful deliberation, mindful of the potential consequences they may have on our residents’ lives. Although we recognize and understand the importance of the services we provide, we also understand the need for fiscal responsibility. We will explore every avenue to streamline our operations, optimize our resources, and identify alternative funding sources where available. By doing so, we aim to strike a delicate balance that retains critical services while living within our means.
“At the same token, I urge our legislators to identify reasonable revenue generating bills that could potentially assist all three senatorial districts fill in the financial gaps. I extend my gratitude to the Legislature and the Governor for addressing the FY2024 budget that avoided a potential government shutdown.”
