Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita, second right, answers a question from the media as Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, fourth right, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, third right, listen during a press conference on Capital Hill on Monday. Also in photo are Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Chris Concepcion, right, Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, third left, partly hidden, Office of Planning and Development Director and Capital Improvement Project Administrator Elizabeth Balajadia, second left, and DPW Highway Engineer Henry Bautista, left.
FINANCE Secretary Tracy B. Norita on Monday said the $200 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that the previous administration deposited into a trust account in Bank of Guam was depleted two years ago.
“I’d like to put this issue to a close,” Norita told reporters during a press conference at the governor’s office.
She said the ARPA funds were deposited by then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ administration in 2021. She added that the fiscal response committee found out that the entire amount was withdrawn in 2022.
“It’s an old news but it has resurfaced, so we’d like to close this issue,” Norita added.
Last month, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero submitted a Freedom of Information Act and Open Government Act request to Finance regarding information pertaining to the trust account that was opened by the previous administration using ARPA funds.
The Senate president said it was important to know which funds were still available to provide necessary services to the people.
Norita said the Palacios administration continues to recover some ARPA funds, but these were already obligated.
As Finance recovers ARPA funds, it pays outstanding balances, she said.
She added that the government’s largest obligation for ARPA funds is the group health and life insurance for its employees that will cost $13 million this year alone.
