THE CNMI government still lacks a uniform travel policy that includes restrictions on first-class and business airfare for its officials, the Office of the Public Auditor said.
In her report to the Legislature and the administration, Public Auditor Kina Peter said two of the three pending issues pertaining to CNMI government travels remain unresolved.
One of them is the lack of a uniform travel policy and restrictions on the purchase of first-class, business class or any other premium class designation as required by law.
OPA has asked the Department of Finance to adopt regulations that provide the following:
• The expense of traveling by air will be allowed on the basis of cost. The traveler is expected to use the coach or economy fare.
• The traveler must obtain two quotes from a qualified provider for the most economical airfare possible considering expense, time and convenience.
• When a traveler prefers a higher class than that authorized for purchase, the traveler must pay the incremental difference.
OPA noted that regulations do not appear to explicitly prohibit the purchase of first-class and business class airline tickets.
On Jan. 15, 2021, the Department of Finance informed OPA that the proposed uniform travel policy was published in the Commonwealth Register on Sept. 28, 2020, but had yet to reach the official website of the CNMI Law Revision Commission.
But the department said its travel section, key management and staff had been notified about the promulgation of the uniform travel policy for adoption.
Finance also said that it will have to continue to work with all relevant agencies for a consistent implementation of the newly established policy.
Finance is hoping that with the promulgation of a uniform travel policy, all travel processes for Commonwealth government employees are consistent with all applicable laws, and allow for the most economical use of government resources while preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.
OPA likewise recommended that the Legislature address any conflicts over official government travel, adding that OPA “looks forward to working with the 22nd Legislature to address potential inconsistencies or conflicts with existing laws related to official government travel.”
In the 21st Legislature last year, the House Special Committee on Fiscal Review of Executive Expenditures looked into Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ spending including travel expenses.
Chaired by Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, the committee prepared a draft report, which stated that OPA should look into the governor’s official expenditures, adding that “there was simply too much material and too little time and resources to conduct an adequate and reasonably thorough investigation.”
For her part, Rep. Tina Sablan, who served on the special committee, said she and other members of the then-minority bloc “found multiple violations of law and abuses of public money by this governor in travel, reimbursements, official representation, and other expenditures.”
Per diem
As for OPA’s recommendation to train staff or provide guidance on per diem calculation, the OPA report said this issue has been resolved.
It said Finance will implement a uniform travel policy that provides for detailed guidelines on air fare restrictions, where all travelers are expected to use coach or economy class and obtain quotes from two qualified vendors to identify the most cost-effective fare.
Finance will also guide the other departments’ calculation of per diem under the new rate structure, OPA added.
