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FEMA obligates 29 of 39 PSS projects
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has obligated or authorized 29 of 39 Public School System projects, but PSS has been unable to start work on these projects as it does not have the funds to cover the 10% cost share.
According to Charley Kenty, PSS associate commissioner for administrative services, 29 of the 39 projects that were listed by FEMA are ready to be started.
“As far as project and grants, were working closely with the Public Assistance Office to get these projects going. Of the 39 projects we have listed by FEMA, they have obligated 29 of them, meaning they are ready for us to begin the work,” he said.
However, one of the main reasons PSS hasn’t begun working on these projects is because PSS has to come up with 10% of the money needed for the projects—its cost share.
“One of the reasons why we weren’t able to get this started earlier is because it requires us to come up with a 10% cost share,” he said.
Fortunately, Kenty said, as of last week, PSS has received grant funding from other sources and will be able to proceed soon.
Board of Education vice chair Herman Atalig told PSS administration to prioritize these 29 projects and get them going, since these projects ensure quality learning facilities for CNMI students.
As for FEMA reimbursements from Super Typhoon Yutu, Kenty reported that FEMA has not completed their review and reimbursements are not coming out anytime soon.
“We did follow up with the FEMA office for Super Typhoon Yutu and the $1.8 million that is still under review. They haven’t completed the review so we aren’t seeing any reimbursement anytime this month,” he said.
As for reimbursements from Typhoon Mangkhut, PSS is working with FEMA to identify any required documents to get it approved. “For Typhoon Mangkhut, we are working on identifying documents needed if there are required documents needed and we will get that done,” he said.
