“We want to move forward and faster,” said Sen. Pete A. Manglona, R-Rota, in an interview with the Variety.
The Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Commission, chaired by Manglona, met with CPA officials, including Vice Chairman Thomas P. Villagomez, and Executive Director Efrain S. Camacho.
Chairman Jose R. Lifoifoi did not attend the Senate committee hearing.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, Senate Floor Leader Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, and Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, D-Saipan, took turns in asking CPA officials if the agency had already met the requirements set by U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“I don’t know what they [the federal government] specifically wants,” Camacho told the senators.
He said it is better to wait for the representatives from Customs and Boarder Protection and the Federal Aviation Administration “who are set to arrive next week.”
Villagomez said he was not updated, since the board of directors has given Camacho a “free hand” in managing CPA.
Crisostimo urged CPA to inquire about federal specifications and scope of work for spaces needed by federal authories at the local airpors and seaports.
Hofschneider said another meeting should be held between the committee and CPA officials.
Manglona, for his part, expressed concerns about CPA’s response to Richard Vigna, director for fields operations, Customs and Boarder Protection San Francisco field office.
Vigna, in his June 16 letter, said they require sufficient Federal Inspection Services space for immigration processing at each location on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
“We’re doing our best,” Camacho assured the Senate committee.
Camacho added he has been communicating with Customs and Boarder Protection
Manglona said Rota and Tinian airports might be downgraded to domestic airports and vessels might be turned away from the islands once federalization takes effect on Nov. 28.
Not meeting federal requirements might affect the chartered flights to Tinian and Rota, he added.
