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‘Abolish DCCA deputy secretary post’
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Posted on Feb 22 2006
A former congressman suggested the abolition of the deputy secretary position at the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, saying that the several directors of the department’s attached agencies could perform that function.
During the confirmation hearing of acting Secretary DCCA Daisy Villagomez-Bier on Tuesday, former Rep. Melvin Faisal told Villagomez-Bier that a deputy secretary is no longer needed at the department and the position should be abolished.
Faisal said DCCA already has several attached agencies and, whenever she is off-island, she could just simply appoint one of the directors of those agencies to serve in her stead.
There are six divisions under DCCA: Office on Aging; Nutrition Assistance Program; Historic Preservation Office; Division of Sports and Recreation; Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture; Division of Youth Services; and the Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission.
Right after Faisal’s testimony, current deputy secretary Carmen Cabrera spoke to the Senate panel, saying that, although she has already been given a 60-day termination notice by the acting secretary, she would still give her “full support” to Villagomez-Bier, should she be confirmed.
“I am proud that a woman was appointed,” she said.
Villagomez-Bier had told the Senate panel that she plans to re-visit the department’s mission and find out if the department is still on the right track and is aligned with the administration’s goals.
She said the department is currently reassessing its programs and services to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and compliance with the local and federal government.
She said she has asked for a desk audit to find duplication in duties and responsibilities so that the department could conduct necessary adjustments to maximize its personnel in line with its limited resources.
Villagomez-Bier said that, due to the financial constraints, the department would continue to work on its budget and make the necessary cuts and adjustments.
