Northern Marianas College President Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero, EdD, 2nd right foreground, speaks to members of the House Ways and Means Committee while other NMC officials and staff listen.
THE chair of the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday vowed to support Northern Marianas College’s funding needs.
During a budget hearing, the committee chair, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, told NMC President Dr. Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero that the committee will try to “match what was given to you last fiscal year.” It is going to be hard, Yumul said, and the Legislature may have to tap local funds to address NMC’s funding needs.
In FY 2024, NMC appropriated a $4 million budget. In his FY 2025 budget submission, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios proposed a $3.9 million budget for NMC, which is asking for $14.5 million, $4 million of which is for operation.
Yumul said “every member” of his committee supports NMC’s request for additional funding in FY 2025.
He said the committee will sit down with NMC Chief Financial Officer David Attao, “and see what we can do.”
He added that they may look into special revenues to at least fund NMC’s programs aimed at addressing the community’s needs.
Deleon Guerrero said the CNMI Small Business Development Center, which is located at NMC, is “on the forefront of taking care of our community.”
Headed by Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero, the CNMI SBDC provides business advice, which includes business plan development, marketing strategies and financial management. They also offer business education through training opportunities and technical assistance. The goal is to help grow and expand existing businesses that want to seek capital access through other institutions and loan programs.
These services are provided to the community at no cost.
For its part, NMC’s Community Development Institute, which is headed by Monique B. Sablan, is a center for training and innovation. It provides transformative opportunities through workforce development certificate programs that contribute significantly to the growth and vitality of the community. CDI provides specialized training to meet specific needs of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and community organizations.
These are just among the many programs that NMC officials presented to the House committee during the budget hearing.
Rep. Marissa Flores said she is in total support of those programs.
“This body is dedicated to ensuring that the generations after us have the opportunities and the support they need,” she said.
“If we can get together, somehow, we can move those fundings to NMC,” she added.
When asked by Yumul if the central government has been consistent in remitting the appropriated funding for NMC, the college president said, “I am happy to report that for the most recent second quarter, we are up to date and we are working on getting the third quarter transferred as we prepare for the fourth quarter.”
He said NMC’s board of regents also helps ensure that the transfer of funds is made in a timely manner.
Yumul said, “The audits show a positive report, so I know you’re doing the best to stay afloat and to manage what you are given. I don’t think anyone from this body is against giving additional funds to NMC. And you’re right. Our investment in our students is going to sustain us in the future. I believe that.”
The college president said NMC, time and again, has demonstrated its commitment to “take care” of the CNMI community. NMC takes care of its resources and people. “If you want to wrap all of that in one statement: NMC takes care of you.”
He added, “So we come to you today, requesting that as we do our best to take care of you, we implore you to also take care us. Help us do our job by taking care of us. Help us take care of our community, our resources and our people by taking care of us.”
He said he knows that it is hard, and that the Legislature has difficult decisions to make. “There is a lot of bad news out there,” he added.
“There seems like every day, there is a negative story, right? But really, all of us can learn from our ancestors…. Despite all the challenges that we face, do not despair, do not lose hope. We as leaders should have enough vision to see what others can’t see. And once we see and know where we are going, we can sail towards that brighter future for our Commonwealth with all our heart and all our soul. Stay safe, stay calm and sail on,” he said.
