VINNEY Atalig Hocog was sworn in by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and will continue to serve on the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation board of directors representing Rota.
Hocog’s renomination was unanimously confirmed by the full Senate body during a special session on Monday, July 22.
During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, Hocog said he hopes to continue to serve the people of the CNMI to the best of his ability.
His reappointment was supported by Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig,18th Rota Municipal Council secretary Jim Atalig, NMHC Corporate Director Jesse S. Palacios, Rota Field Representative Arvin C. Ogo, Rota mayor’s office press secretary Ivan Mereb Jr., and several Rota private citizens.
In his written testimony, NMHC Corporate Director Palacios said it would be very advantageous for NMHC to have a board member who already knows the housing corporation and is familiar with its federal partners such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development that provide NMHC with the funding for the community and housing development program.
“He would not need a refresher course, and will hit the ground running,” Palacios said of Hocog.
He added that Hocog is a young, vibrant individual who brings a finance and accounting background to the table, and a younger perspective to NMHC.
“He is acutely aware of current events, both locally and internationally,” Palacios said.
“He has the best interests of the island of Rota in his heart, and understands the challenges facing Rota in terms of development,” Palacios added. “As we continue ways to improve the life of the CNMI, especially for the islands of Rota and Tinian, we need board members who support what we do and who push us to go the extra mile to assist our low and moderate households, in providing housing opportunities and community development, to make the CNMI safe and vigilant…. He is that person.”
No oral or written testimonies in opposition to Hocog’s reappointment were submitted to the committee.
Re-appointed Northern Marianas Housing Corporation board member Vinney Atalig Hocog, right, is sworn in by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
