“I’M really working hard right now as we, the Commonwealth, have a lot of needs.”
This was the response of U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan when asked about his political plans.
Kilili who is now in his seventh term as the CNMI’s delegate to the U.S. Congress after running unopposed last year, said he is trying to secure more federal funds for the Commonwealth.
“I have been working the night shift. I started to work last night at midnight. I’ve been working hard. We have a lot of needs. Money is the problem. I want to get some of these things addressed,” Kilili told reporters in an interview on Friday.
“I don’t have time to sit down and focus on [an election] campaign. My obligations go to my job first. Right now, I am working.”
Kilili noted that 2,240 CNMI residents have availed themselves of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program created by the U.S. Congress in response to Covid-19 pandemic.
He said program participants get a monthly discount up to $50 on internet service and a $100 subsidy to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.
Three local providers participate in the program — Docomo Pacific, IT&E and Pacific Data Systems.
“Docomo officials told your congressional office the company has received many positive comments and that for some households the $50 subsidy means the customer pays nothing for internet service,” Kilili said in his e-newsletter.
“This is good news for families that are struggling financially because of the pandemic and still need to work or study online from home. Of the $3.1 billion Congress made available in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, $2.7 billion remains available. So, it is not too late to apply…. Visit your broadband provider to learn more about how to apply.”
Kilili said $1.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds are now helping CNMI restaurants, and $14.3 million in federal capital project funds have been allocated for the Commonwealth.
Kilili also congratulated the CNMI Department of Finance on the award of $19.6 million to build a new office center and acquire a modern financial management system.
He said the funding, through the U.S. Economic Development Administration, was made available by including the Northern Marianas in the 2019 disaster recovery legislation or U.S. Public Law 116-20.
“Bringing the Commonwealth’s financial management system into the 21st century should improve service to everyone who does business with the government from taxpayers to businesses to contractors looking for payment,” Kilili said.
“We also made the case at the Seattle regional office and EDA headquarters in D.C. that updating the financial system should make it much easier for granting agencies to track exactly how every dollar of federal funding for the Marianas is used.”
Kilili said the award “brings our total EDA disaster funding from U.S.P.L. 116-20 to $88 million. Earlier grants went to Northern Marianas College for new buildings to house a workforce training center and Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services and to the governor’s office for Garapan revitalization and a sports complex in Susupe.”
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, second right, joins NMI Democrats and their Precinct 3 House candidate, Corina L. Magofna, center, on Friday at the Commonwealth Election Commission where she filed her candidacy. In the photo are Reps. Leila Staffler, Sheila Babauta, Denita Yangtemai, Vicente Camacho, Celina Babauta, Richard Lizama, Edwin Propst, Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero and NMI Democratic Party Vice Chairman Daniel O. Quitugua.
