Gov. Sebastian Anefal has asked lawmakers for the 10 percent matching fund requirement for the management and administration of the few remaining projects to be extended into fiscal year 2010, which starts on Oct. 1.
The governor said based on several financial reconciliation and progress assessments conducted by the Public Assistance Office and U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials on FEMA-funded projects authorized for typhoons Sudal and Lupit, there will be only a handful of projects expected for completion in FY 2010 from the 607 projects that started in 2004 and 2005.
He said as a result of this reconciliation and assessment process, the state would no longer need direct appropriation for the projects that would need matching funds in FY 2010.
He added that most of the projects are near closing except for the Sports Complex project, the OIHS Student Center and a few others.
Perhaps the IMF funds and the remaining balances of the small projects under typhoons Sudal and Lupit may be used instead of an appropriation of additional matching funds, he said.
Anefal requested that the 10 percent matching fund requirement, which is in the amount of $6,105, be appropriated for this purpose and recommended that funding be sourced from the General Fund/CIP/EDF.
The legislature has invited three key people from the state government to answer concerns regarding the request.
They are Kensley Ikosia, director of the Office of Planning and Budget; Thomas Gilwuyoch, FEMA public assistance coordinator; and James Sarmog, chief of the Division of Contract and Engineering Management.
