NMI urges disaster declaration

Gov. Juan N. Babauta has asked President Bush to declare the CNMI as a major disaster area, saying the local government’s lack of funds limits its capacity to respond to the widespread damage caused by Typhoon Tingting.

Babauta explained that the Commonwealth’s economy has been improving gradually but has not recovered to pre-9/11 levels, so any unforeseen expenses—such as for emergency response—would impact on the government’s ability to provide for the regular, essential programs and services.

“The fiscal condition of the CNMI government is holding steady. Government cumulative debt remains problematic and limits our capacity to respond to the current typhoon disaster. We have no rainy day fund on which to rely [on],” the governor said in a news briefing yesterday afternoon.

Babauta said that total expenditures for the recovery efforts are expected to exceed $2.53 million.

In his letter to President Bush, Babauta said that, under provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, there is a need to declare a major disaster in the CNMI as the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota experienced significant damage to public utilities, infrastructure, and agriculture.

The governor is specifically asking for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, Small Business Administration, Disaster Assistance, and assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With the amount requested—$2.53 million—the governor said no individual assistance is being requested.

Of the amount $82,000 will go to the overtime pay of personnel and employees from all agencies who have worked beyond their working hours during and after the onslaught of Typhoon Tingting.

Breakdown of the accrued damage include $77,000 for debris clearance; $350,000, for repair of roads and bridges; $150,000, for water control facilities; $250,000 for buildings and equipment; $650,000 for utilities; $210,000 for parks and recreational facilities; and an estimated but unverified $761,800 worth of damage on Rota that include roads and bridges destroyed and for debris clearance.

For this major disaster, Babauta said the local government will assume all non-federal share of costs required by Public Law 93-288.

Babauta also notified Bush that initial assessment of the damage sustained warranted a joint preliminary damage assessment with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

On June 30 to July 3, a Joint Federal/State PDA was conducted on the islands of Saipan and Tinian and assessment indicated the most significant impacts were to public facilities and infrastructures that include electrical distribution system, hospital, secondary roads, parks, recreational facilities and agriculture.

“The island of Rota reported in excess of $1 million damage to their only commercial port and over $500,000 in crop destroyed. The island of Tinian also reported damage to their floating dock at the marina and over 60 percent in crop damage. Additional damage to commercial and residential areas due to flooding were reported on Saipan and more than 60 percent in crop damages. Residents of Pagan and Agrihan with a combined population of 28 people reported all homes destroyed; they have requested food and medical supplies,” said the governor.

He stressed that the severity and magnitude of the damage is such that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the local government and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary.

Babauta designated Emergency Management Office director Rudolfo Pua as the State Coordinating Officer and Virginia C. Villagomez as the Governor’s Authorized Representative for the said request. The two were tasked to work closely with FEMA in coordinating recovery activities and to provide additional information if needed.

The letter to Bush was coursed through FEMA acting regional director Karen Armes.