Signed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Saipan Local Law 16-4 allocates $21,000 for the repairs at, and maintenance of, Dandan Elementary School.
The money will be available in fiscal year 2009, which starts on Oct. 1, and will come from Saipan Local Law 11-2, or the poker fees to be collected for the new fiscal year, totaling $4.7 million.
Another recently signed local law, S.L.L. 16-5, provides PSS $20,000 for the construction of covered walkways at Oleai Elementary School; $19,000 to pay the outstanding debt of the completed San Vicente Head Start classrooms; and $20,000 to procure Tanita Scales for the PSS health education program.
Funding will come from the lapsed funds from Saipan Local Law 13-4, or the unused funds from poker revenues.
In a letter to Commissioner of Education Rita A. Sablan, one of the authors of the legislation, Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, said: “[These laws] appropriate funding for PSS for your ready reference and immediate attention and action to address the needs of the funded schools and programs. Please apprise your [capital improvement projects] coordinator, school principals, and the deputy commissioner for curriculum, instruction and assessment of these laws and initiate the process in expending the appropriated funds.”
Quitugua, D-Saipan, said the $21,000 for Dandan school will be available during FY 2009 while funding for the rest of the other projects are readily available for distribution to PSS.
He asked the PSS finance personnel to coordinate with the secretary of finance for the immediate transfer of such funds.
The new laws were co-authored by Quitugua, House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan, Rep. David M. Apatang, R-Saipan, and House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan.
PSS has failed to make the necessary repairs and renovations of its schools due to the limited funding from the local government.
It has requested the governor to provide $8.2 million for school renovations through the reprogramming of some CIP monies.
