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DeLeon Guerrero files OGA request for latest info on ARPA expenditure plan
Sen. Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) filed yesterday an Open Government Act request with Finance Secretary David DLG. Atalig to obtain the latest information about the CNMI’s expenditure plan for the money it got from the American Rescue Plan Act.
DeLeon Guerrero, who chairs the Saipan and Northern Islands Delegation’s Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee, listed seven questions in her OGA request, including how much is the ARPA allocation for non-government organizations/non-profit organizations. Of this amount, how much is allocated for fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022, and how much has been awarded for each fiscal year.
In response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry why she asked for such information, DeLeon Guerrero said it is important to know to date if there had been any changes to the CNMI’s approved expenditure plan that Atalig first presented last June 4, 2021.
She said her office also receives inquiries on funding opportunities and that knowing and having that information will help in their response.
Third, the senator said, proper referral for individual services to NGOs/NPOs is important, especially if they are recipients of ARPA funds.
Finally, DeLeon Guerrero said, generating income on top of initial funding sources is a good thing but it is just as important to know where these generated income, if any, is being expended on.
The senator also requested information for the following:
*Listing of awardees, amount of award, and approved purpose of the award.
*Are/where these funds (ARPA for NGOs/NPO) deposited in interest bearing accounts before disbursements to awardees?
*Which financial institutions were these funds (ARPA for NGOs/NPOs) deposited with and at what interest rate and amount of income generated since investment in interest bearing account(s)?
*Were the income generated from interest bearing account(s) for these funds (ARPA for NGOs/NPOs) used for other purposes other than ARPA approved projects? If so, provide a detail list of expenditures funded by this income generation, of otherwise, please do explain.
