Symposium on federal issues organized

Local legislators are preparing for a proposed symposium this August that will discuss comprehensively various federal programs in the CNMI in efforts to enhance their implementation here as well as to maximize use of funds granted by the U.S. government.

Sen. David M. Cing, chair of the Federal Relations and Independent Agencies Committee, will head the joint Senate-House committee that will map out the plan for the forthcoming event.

His counterpart in the lower house, Rep. Norman S. Palacios, is the vice chair, while Vice Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola is the secretary. Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero and House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta are designated spokepersons.

According to Mr. Cing, they have split the joint committee to form smaller groups to ensure that all federal programs administered in the CNMI will get the necessary attention.

The Commonwealth receives around $40 million in federal funds each year, for capital improvement projects, enforcement program, health, education, housing and other independent agencies.

The symposium, a brainchild of the Tinian senator, is expected to discuss various issues concerning implementation of these programs as well as their effectiveness in relation to the community.

“This is an opportunity for us to try to dig into other federal programs where we are qualified but which we have not applied yet for funding,” Mr. Cing told in an interview yesterday after meeting with members of the joint committee.

He stressed this is the right time to explore other ways to help ensure continued development of the islands, particularly at a time when the local economy has been suffering due to the Asian crisis.

“We have to maximize the use of funds,” added Mr. Cing, who also noted that there might be some programs that are not benefiting the indigenous people because they contradict the desire and interests of the NMI.

For instance, some federal housing grants and other social programs require residents of the islands to guarantee their ability to repay loans through lands and real properties they own.

Since the Covenant contains provisions on land alienation, such a federal requirement appears contradictory, said Mr. Cing. “While the Covenant ensures the Chamorro and Carolinian people land ownership, a federal program, whether intentionally or not, may discourage them to keep their land,” he added.

Issues like this will be part of that symposium, the senator assured, although he maintained it will not all be about money.

“We have to determine whether the program helps or harms our people or whether it needs improvement,” he explained. “We should not just be accepting federal handouts because I believe we have the right to choose what federal programs we want.”

If the proposed gathering of both CNMI and federal officials pushes, it will be the first such discussion since the islands officially became part of the United States in 1978. “I am hopeful that the symposium will be very productive,” said Mr. Cing.