Teno convenes cabinet • Officials told to ensure that basic services are provided to the community

In a rare meeting, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday summoned members of his Cabinet to try to seek ways that will effectively carry out much-needed services to the community amid the shaky financial condition of the government.

“We discussed some of the issues that concerned their department to share with other agencies so that we can improve our services to the community,” said the governor after the two-hour pep talk.

Cabinet officials disclosed the discussion focused also on the financial standing of each department, whether there are still enough resources to provide the public the services they need, including medical referral. (See related story on Page 3)

While they are trying to fulfill their duties, Tenorio said his administration always looks into complaints to try to work out an immediate solution.

“So far we are able to meet our obligations and I think we have almost (reached) our projected resources,” he said when asked if the government can still provide services to the community despite the dwindling revenues.

On austerity measures, the local chief executive said it continues to be a policy as part of the efforts to boost savings and cut the deficit of the government.

“We just spend whatever resources we have. We are not overspending other money unless it’s a new appropriation,” Tenorio explained. “It’s the end of the fiscal year and we want to make sure that their department budget is in order and not exceeding the budgeted amount.”

The island has been heavily battered by the two-year economic recession in Asia, its main source of tourists and investors, sharply pulling down revenues since late 1997.

Although the cost-cutting measures put in place by Tenorio since assuming office in January 1998 have helped him deal with the serious financial difficulties, he has instructed officials to tighten their belts due to bleak economic projections.

Several departments and agencies, such as the Public School System, police and the hospital, have asked the Legislature to increase their share of the FY 2000 budget to be able to operate effectively in the next 12 months.

The governor has proposed a spending package of $206.98 million for the next fiscal year, a two percent drop from the current budget of $210 million which is in itself a 13.4 percent cut from the initial appropriation passed by lawmakers.

Several programs have been suspended by the governor to meet the dwindling revenues as harsh economic conditions continue to strike the Commonwealth, but Tenorio hopes that two new programs aimed at improving financial management in the government will cushion its impact.