Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, as acting governor on Tuesday, declared the state of emergency, saying the CNMI “faces an imminent threat of the disruption ofcritical medical services on…Rota.”
The cash-strapped and debt-ridden government has been unable to pay five of the health center’s nurses. They are hired through the Saipan Employment Agency and Services which has yet to collect over $100,000 from the government.
Mendiola said the emergency declaration allows the governor “to take the necessary steps to respond to the emergency,” including the suspension of statutory or regulatory provisions and the reprogramming of funds.
According to the mayor, there is a good chance that the nurses will be paid soon. The declaration of emergency, he added, will enable the administration to identify a funding source.
“We should try to understand that we are in a serious financial crisis now,” he said, adding that Rota is “working hard” to give what is due to the affected healthcare workers.
“As soon as we find other funding sources, this matter will be addressed immediately,” Mendiola said.
