DEPARTMENT of Public Works-Technical Services Division Director Anthony Camacho on Monday provided Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero with an update on community projects funded by Saipan Local Law 21-7.
The local appropriation measure which then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed in September 2019 appropriated $126,670 in capital improvement project earned bond interest income, which was a financial source identified by the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority for appropriation by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
S.L.L. 21-7 allotted the funds for the repair of youth centers and basketball courts in Precinct 1; the repair of the Dandan Softball Field; the construction of a restroom and a pavilion at San Antonio Beach; the repair of Dandan Children’s Park; the repair of Pakpak Beach facilities; and the architectural and engineering design for a sidewalk from Coral Ocean Point to Chalan Piao.
Since March 2022, Deleon Guerrero said she had been following up on the status of these projects.
She was earlier informed by DPW-TSD that the repairs of the basketball courts in San Vicente and Koblerville and the Dandan Softball Field had been completed, and the remaining funds for the rest of the projects listed in the local appropriation law amounted to $103,066.30.
On Monday, DPW-TSD informed Deleon Guerrero that the fund balance would be used for the Pakpak Beach Park pavilion project.
Four months ago, DPW-TSD said it was notified by the Office of Grants Management that OGM would take over the projects since other funding sources were available, and “we should capitalize on them before expending local funds.”
DPW-TSD said it has followed up with OGM, but has not received a clear answer on how the projects are progressing.
DPW-TSD told the Senate president that it will continue to ask OGM about the projects, and “will initiate the bid advertisement” if needed.
Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero speaks during a Senate session on Feb. 14, 2023.
