He told reporters that he is glad the administration wants the government to live within its means.
“Personally, I am content with that action,” he said.
Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, said continuing the work-hour cut should no longer be an issue since everyone is aware of the situation now.
“With the dwindling budget that we have here, we just have to live within our means,” he added.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, in a separate interview, said the austerity measures that will end on Sept. 30 are among the significant issues that need to be addressed in the FY 2012 budget bill.
He said the austerity measures, which include a 16-hour cut and unpaid holidays, will continue but “we don’t want to go deeper than that.”
In his budget submission to the Legislature, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial indicated a decrease of 332 positions for FTEs: from 2,111 in FY 2011 to 1,779 in FY 2012.
But Inos said there are vacant FTEs that need to be maintained for essential positions.
He did not have an exact figure, but he said these positions include those for revenue collection, revenue agents and auditors.
He said there will be hiring in FY 2012 but only for “critical” positions.
