This was disclosed by SHEFA chairman Jose C. Mafnas yesterday after he was reelected by the board.
“Maybe we will suspend, terminate or reduce,” Mafnas said, adding that “some of the awardees” will be affected. He declined to elaborate.
Last January, SHEFA reduced the financial assistance for its three programs.
Although a $3 million budget was approved for SHEFA, its main source of funds, poker license fees, is decreasing, Mafnas said.
Starting December, the licenses of about 30 poker machines were not renewed, he said, adding that he was also told by other poker arcade owners that they may scale down their operations.
Yesterday’s SHEFA board’s regular meeting was held in the Saipan mayor’s office conference room and saw the attendance for the first time of new members Ursula L. Aldan and Vina Claire Saures. Their nominations were recently confirmed by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
Elected vice chairwoman of the board was Josephine L. Sablan while Saures was named secretary/treasurer.
Based on the SHEFA by-laws, the chairman serves for a one year term and can be reelected.
Mafnas said the two new members are a “great asset” to the board.
“They know the challenges they’re going to meet and this board is going to have a great composition,” he added.
Last month, SHEFA board member John K. Tenorio was reappointed but he has yet to be confirmed by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
