THE number of CNMI government entities that submitted citizen-centric reports on time increased in fiscal year 2023, according to the Office of the Public Auditor’s citizen-centric flash report.
From 37 government entities making timely submissions in FY 2022, the number went up to 50 in FY 2023, OPA added.
Required by Public Law 20-83, a citizen-centric report is submitted to OPA, the Legislature and Office of the Governor annually, no later than 30 days after each fiscal year or from October 30 to November 29. The penalty for late submission is $50 per day for the first offense, and $100 per day for the second offense.
OPA said citizen-centric reports help citizens better understand their government, their services, the accountability of resources, and transparency with spending. The reports provide citizens “with a snapshot of government entities’ mission, spending, performance, and future outlook in a visually appealing, simple and readily accessible format.”
Citizen-centric reports are posted on the websites of OPA, the CNMI Legislature and the Office of the Governor.
OPA said a total of 78 government entities have submitted citizen-centric reports, with 50 of them making timely submissions and 28 making late submissions in FY 2023. In FY 2022, 72 government entities submitted citizen-centric reports, with 37 making timely submissions and 35 late submissions, OPA said.
Among the government entities that made timely submissions in FY 2023 were the Commonwealth Election Commission, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services on Rota, the Department of Public Works on Rota, the Public Assistance Office and the Office of Veterans Affairs.
