“The imminent financial depletion of the CNMI government in fiscal year 2011 will undoubtedly present numerous financial adjustments which will affect the families and their welfare,” she said in a letter to NAP administrator Eleanor S. Cruz.
The lawmaker said people require significant earnings to improve and advance in all aspects of their lives.
“Certainly we can see that the worldwide recession is creeping upon us,” she said.
As in any society, she added, the health and welfare of the people are important.
Her letter was also sent to the Medicaid office, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program office, and the Women Infant Children program.
“We want to know what these agencies can provide to the people who will be affected,” she told Variety.
“We need to coordinate, cooperate and collaborate within ourselves for solutions to these problems, thus it is for this reason that I solicit your assistance,” she said in her letter.
Santos said without a new budget, many public sector employees may not be able to report back to work starting on Oct. 1 due to the government shutdown.
She said many, if not all, of the government employees have rationed and budgeted their incomes based on their previous earnings.
As a result, she said, government employees may require supplemental assistance to balance some of their families’ needs.
“It should become our focus to address these problems and assess the needs of our citizens during these challenging times,” she told Cruz.
Santos said she would be happy to meet with Cruz to discuss the concerns of the government workers.
