SNILD bill will allocate $314,550 to 3 NGOs operations, funding to complete pavilions

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation passed yesterday a local bill that seeks to allocate 314,550 to three nonprofit organizations and provide funding to complete ongoing projects and for the renovation and construction of pavilions, recreational areas and public buildings in Precinct 4 on Saipan.

With all 18 SNILD members present voting “yes” during a special session, House Local Bill 23-16, Draft 1, now goes to the governor for action.

Sen. Corina L. Magofna (Ind-Saipan) and Reps. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan) and Thomas John Dela Cruz Manglona (R-Saipan) were absent but excused from the session.

Reps. Joel C. Camacho (Ind-Saipan) and Malcolm J. Omar (Ind-Saipan) are co-authors of the bill.

Before the voting, House Vice Speaker Joel C. Camacho stated that he will be working with Omar to ensure that the reporting requirements are met and the funds will be made available to the nonprofit organizations.

Under the legislation, $100,000 will be allocated for the renovation and construction of pavilions, recreational areas and the public buildings in Precinct 4. The expenditure authority shall be the Department of Public Works secretary.

A total of $69,775 will be allocated each for the Talabwogh Stars Association and Natibu Sports Association for the operations to conduct and facilitate (not limited to Precinct 4) sports programs, arts and culture programs, and youth activities. The expenditure authority shall be the president of the two associations.

A total of $75,000 will be allocated to the Commonwealth Federation of Golf Association so it could establish a Junior Golf Program. The association president shall have expenditure authority.

The expenditure authorities of the funds allocated under the bill shall be responsible to report all expenses to the chairperson of the SNILD, showing the expenditure of the funds.

During the miscellaneous part of the session, Rep. Vincent Seman Aldan (Ind-Saipan) expressed concern over an apparent lack of reporting by these nonprofit organizations.

Aldan said one nonprofit organization was awarded $50,000 in 2022 and is now asking for $100,000 for the second phase of the same project.

“I would like to see a report that identifies how, where, [and] when the $50,000 was spent,” said Aldan, without naming the nonprofit organization.

He recommended that any nonprofit organization that requests for any kind of budget in the future must provide the SNILD with all information on how the fund that was previously awarded was spent, and all the positive impact that funding had.

SNILD chair Rep. John Paul Sablan (Ind-Saipan) reminded delegation members that every local appropriation contains a clause that mandates nonprofit organizations to report their expenditures after all those appropriation are depleted.

Sablan said that, as they move along, he is sure they will be getting reports on the funding that were previously appropriated to all these NGOs.

He assured that he will follow up on all those groups that previously received funding in previous legislatures and will require the same under the 23rd Legislature.