He vowed to look for ways and means to pay the over 100 employees on Tinian, some of whom are retirees now.
Others, he added, have passed away already.
“We have to address that because it’s a government obligation,” Dela Cruz said. “A lot of people have been waiting for this for a long time.”
Ben Borja, a retired resident director of the Department of Public Safety, said they are hoping to get their retroactive salary this year.
The pay hike was mandated by Public Law 7-31 which took effect in May 1991.
Employees entitled to the retroactive salary adjustment of less than $5,000 were supposed to receive the full payment, but those entitled to more than $5,000 only received partial payments.
The last payment of $2,082 was made on March 2, 2007, and was made possible by a local bill signed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on Dec. 29, 2006, appropriating $403,737 from the license fee and taxes received from the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino
Dela Cruz said he will ask the Legislature to pass a special appropriation measure.
“I believe that 40 percent of the retroactive pay is the responsibility of the central government,” he added.
He said he will also seek local funding.
He noted, however, that the retroactive salary was created by an act of the Legislature, “so it’s only fair for the Legislature to address this particular obligation.”
