Sylvan Igisomar
DEPARTMENT of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar “unequivocally” supports Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ budget proposal for DLNR, which is half of the department’s request for fiscal year 2025.
In his revised FY 2025 budget submission, the governor proposed $1.7 million for DLNR, which received $2 million in the current fiscal year.
According to the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee chairman, Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, DLNR requested a $3.5 million budget for FY 2025.
But in his opening statement during a budget hearing on Friday, Igisomar said DLNR “supports” the administration’s budget submission. He added, however, that “if, for some miracle there is money popped out of the sky,” he hoped that the Senate committee “would consider some of our asks, as they are critical to providing our services that we do.”
Appearing with Igisomar before the Senate committee were Parks and Recreation Division Director Mike Cruz, acting Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Rosemarie Camacho, Agriculture Division Director Jack Ogumoro, Land Registration and Survey Division Director Jack Songsong, Invasive Species coordinator Natasha Tomokane and special adviser to the DLNR secretary Floyd Masga.
Each made a slide presentation of their programs, most of which are federally funded.
In his own office, Igisomar said “there are a few of us that are locally funded.” That includes himself, his special adviser, his executive secretary and administrative officers.
DFW, Parks and Recreation, Land Registration and Survey and Agriculture have revolving funds, but the office of the secretary has none, Igisomar said. His office, he added, also oversees the invasive species program and the coral reef initiative program, and works collaboratively with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality.
Igisomar likewise informed the committee about DLNR’s new initiatives and projects, which include the renovation of the DLNR and DFW buildings, the construction of a new Parks and Recreation building and Animal Health and Quarantine facility in As Perdido, and the improvement of Outer Cove Marina for which DLNR is still seeking grant funding.
