Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday said restructuring the government under a tremendous fiscal pressure was his administration’s key achievement, but added much has to be done to reduce deficit, diversify the economy, improve federal relations and carry

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday said restructuring the government under a tremendous fiscal pressure was his administration’s key achievement, but added much has to be done to reduce deficit, diversify the economy, improve federal relations and carry out reforms as he leads the CNMI into the new millennium.

In his report, the governor said much of his efforts focused on addressing dismal financial condition, inefficient bureaucracy and imminent federal takeover of local labor and immigration – problems he will have to cope with in his remaining years in office.

“Our most important achievement is that we continue to survive and restructure to make our government run better –– at less cost to our taxpayers,” Tenorio said in his State of the Commonwealth address held at the Multi-Purpose Center. “Despite drastic drop in our finances and the hardships we are working under, we have maintained vital public services to our people and even made advancements.”

According to Tenorio, around $15 million in savings have been realized since he put in place a package of austerity measures designed to deal with declining revenues and help bring down an estimated $65 million in cumulative deficit caused by uncontrolled spending by his predecessor.

While he noted gains in cutting down expenditures, he said such effort must be complimented by raising revenues through economic growth. He said progress has been made by the Economic Revitalization Task force in tapping potential investments that will augment existing industries in the islands, as well as the CIP Task Force which is responsible for putting together a seven-year master plan for infrastructure grants.

In addressing complaints on local handling of labor and immigration, Tenorio said his administration will continue to engage the federal government in dialog to seek cooperation in helping the CNMI reform these Commonwealth functions.

He said key legislations on limited immunity, ban on hiring on foreign workers, repatriation program and three-year limit have helped encourage the hiring of locals and bring down the number of nonresidents by 23 percent.

“These efforts illustrate that we are committed to and capable of reforms,” the CNMI leader said.

However, Tenorio made a pitch against Washington for its double-standard treatment of CNMI regarding the diversion of illegal Chinese immigrants to Tinian. Echoing a position raised by US Rep. Don Young, chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the governor said local officials are “disturbed by the conflicting positions” of the US with respect to immigration issues.

“One part of the Clinton Administration wants to use Tinian, and CNMI immigration laws, to return these aliens to China, while another part of the Administration wants a Federal takeover,” he said.

Tenorio said his government would also push for the reimbursement of approximately $30 million in unpaid cost for hosting FAS citizens.