‘That’s our money, not Tinian’s’

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation have agreed to oppose the allocation of some $2 million in Compact Impact funds to the Tinian High School, saying it is Saipan that bears the brunt of the Compact agreement.

In yesterday’s session, the delegation voted to adopt a motion to inform Gov. Juan N. Babauta in a letter of the delegation’s opposition and questioning his authority to allocate the said money.

The delegation also directed Sen. Pete A. Reyes as chairman of the delegation to draft and send the letter to the Governor.

Reyes had questioned Babauta’s unilateral decision to allocate the money to the Tinian High School on two crucial points: one, the question has to be settled whether funds could be earmarked without any legislative action; and two, it is Saipan that is most impacted by the Compact of Free Association.

“Representatives, especially those from Saipan, should raise an objection and question this. We fought very hard and argued for this money, appearing in the U.S. Congress and submitting arguments to the Department of the Interior that Saipan should be reimbursed for Compact impact. We succeeded in this and for anyone, including the Governor, to earmark this $2 million in impact aid to a place other than Saipan, is questionable,” he said.

He stressed that each members of the House of Representatives should also question the Governor’s move since any funds going into the General Fund must be made to undergo legislative appropriation and review.

Babauta had announced the receipt of the $2 million in Compact assistance in February 7 this year and had said he will allocate the money to finish the Tinian High School. Reyes said he was not able to immediately comment on this issue as he was off-island on a medical leave.

House Vice Speaker Manuel Tenorio yesterday suggested that the money be reallocated and used to finish the Koblerville Elementary School.

“That’s why we have come up with several studies that point toward the need to put up more schools in Saipan, precisely because of the impact of the Compact. We are burdened with shouldering the cost of the Compact, so that money would be better spent to finish the school in Koblerville,” Tenorio said.

Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero also pointed out that, in the case of Capital Improvement Program funding and other such federal funds, the money used for the local match requirement is sourced from Saipan, so it is only proper that the $2 million Compact aid should be directed toward Saipan.

Reyes said that, besides the letter to the Governor, he is also now drafting a resolution that will be introduced during a session of the delegation relating to this.

“Just like Congressman Tenorio said, we fought hard for the federal government to recognize the need for Compact assistance and now that we got it, we’re going to give it out to serve a different purpose than it was argued for. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Reyes stressed that Tinian has enough money for its CIP needs. “If the intent is to give them the $2 million so they can reprogram out the money that was already there for that purpose, that’s their business, but they can’t take money from Saipan and satisfy their needs,” he added.