Julie Ogo
THE Rota Legislative Delegation on Monday unanimously passed House Local Bill 23-31, which re-appropriates Rota’s share of the electronic gaming license fee collections for medical subsistence allowance and other services.
Under Public Law 18-30, the municipalities of Rota and Tinian are entitled to 10% of the electronic gaming fees collected annually.
Authored by Rep. Julie M.A. Ogo, H.L.B 23-31 reappropriates $35,000 of the funds as follows:
1) $20,000 for Rota medical subsistence allowance.
2) $12,000 for the Rota Legislative Delegation.
3) $3,000 for the Rota Department of Lands and Natural Resources.
The Rota delegation chairman, Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, and members Sens. Dennis Mendiola, Paul A. Manglona and Ogo voted for the passage of the local bill, which now goes to the governor.
Ogo said the local bill will help pay for the medical referral subsistence allowance that “our patients are in desperate need of for their medications and other medical fees.” The local bill will also help Rota DLNR pay for its fuel needs and other operational costs, she added.
Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog testified in support of the local bill, saying it will provide subsistence allowance for the island’s patients and fund Rota DLNR’s projects.
Rota Municipal Council Chairman Jim Atalig also expressed support for the measure. He said it will help the island because “our people are suffering. Let’s continue to work together to help our island….”
Senate Vice President Manglona said the delegation continues to work with Rota’s municipal officials in addressing issues facing the island. The mayor, he added, is actively reaching out to the delegation to help fund local projects “that are not moving.”
“I know that over the last year we try to meet as often as we can. I appreciate the mayor for always reaching out to the delegation,” he said. “A lot of our people are really suffering and trying very hard to make ends meet, and live payday to payday.”
Sen. Mendiola, for his part, commended the Rota mayor and her team for their hard work in pushing island projects. He said he is glad to note that the Rota delegation and the municipal leadership are on the same page “in addressing [island] issues.”
