Diego M. Songao, Rota casino commission chairman, said they are now in the process of incorporating comments from “interested parties,” particularly municipal officials and the island’s legislative delegation.
By the second week of December, the rules and regulations will be submitted for publication to allow the general public to submit comments within 30 days, Songao said.
He added that two prospective casino investors have already sent comments regarding the draft rules and regulations.
Songao declined to elaborate.
He said there are “several interested” investors but they are not considered “very serious” players until the final regulations are approved.
“We will definitely complete our task even if we are not yet paid,” he said.
Songao said they only have $12,000 from local funds and these are used for their operating expenses.
The Saipan legislative delegation already appropriated $450,000 as financial assistance for the Rota commission but the funds have yet to be released.
The commission is supposed to get quarterly allotments from the legislative delegation fund.
“We sometimes contribute to buy office supplies to continue the operation,” he said, adding that Rota Mayor Joseph S. Inos also gave the commission $7,000 as “financial support.”
Songao said attorney Vicente Torres continues to work with the commission in preparing policy and rules and regulations without getting paid.
The mayor’s office also assigned one of its personnel to assist the commission, he added.
“We really need to complete our without considering our salary — the end product is important,” Songao said.
He admitted that some commissioners are frustrated with their financial problems but these have not stopped them from performing their duties.
He said he understand the government’s monetary limitations, but he is also hoping that the Legislature will also help market the casino industry on Rota.
