They are Pedro Q. Dela Cruz to represent Rota; Anthony H. Aguon of Tinian; Joaquin S. Torres and Roy T. Rios of Saipan.
If confirmed by the Senate, they will serve a four-year term.
Fitial said because the terms of the board members are “staggered” the expiration of their term will be determined pursuant to 3 CMC Section 2805.
Dela Cruz was a former trustee of the Retirement Fund while Aguon is a legislative staffer.
The governor said the newly established corporation should coordinate and “provide the delivery of quality healthcare to the people of the commonwealth in a financially responsible manner.”
Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, who chairs the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigation, said he is glad that the governor has named his nominees to the healthcare board.
Cruz, R-Tinian, noted that although the Department of Public Health started to function as a corporation last Oct. 1, the health centers on Rota and Tinian are facing uncertainty due to the lack of the advisory board.
As soon as the advisory board is complete, these health centers can finally move on, he said.
He also said that because it is a very important board, his committee has to act on the nominees “quickly.”
“We don’t want to drag it as it may create a lot of problems,” he added.
But the committee will still have to go over the nominees’ qualifications, he said.
“I know the governor will not submit any names of people who are not qualified,” Cruz added.
Sen. Ralph DLG. Torres, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, said there has been an urgency to appoint board members since July.
Torres, R-Saipan, wonders how the healthcare corporation is operating now without an advisory board.
“Right now, we need to know how it is running without the advisory board,” he added.
The Senate, he said had repeatedly stressed how important it was to nominate board members.
In related news, Fitial appointed former Tinian Mayor James M. Mendiola to represent the isand on the Marianas Visitors Authority’s board of directors.
