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No more free delivery of tables and chairs from Saipan Mayor’s Office
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Posted on Jul 13 2011
Saipan Mayor Donald Flores has stopped the municipality’s long practice of providing free delivery of its tables and chairs to whoever needed it, saying these things could now only be used for funerals, wakes, and church-related activities.
The new directive takes effect tomorrow, July 15.
Flores disclosed yesterday that the decision was made as a result of the limited budget and resources for the municipality’s programs and operation.
Teri Camacho, the municipality’s fiscal and budget officer, disclosed that fuel expenses were among the highest expenditures recorded under its “all others” account, amounting to $40,368 from Oct. 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011.
The office averaged $4,000 to $5,000 in fuel expenses every month, Camacho said, majority of which were for the free delivery of tables and chairs to various community occasions every day.
“We need to inform our community that we need their help and understanding. Budget is tight and we need to keep our programs. By stopping this practice of providing free delivery [of tables and chairs], we’re seeing a tremendous savings for our municipality,” said Flores.
Those who want to borrow the municipality-owned chairs and tables will have to pick them up and their use will be restricted only to funerals, wakes, novenas, and other related activities. Those who don’t have a vehicle to transport the equipment will be charged a $15 fee for fuel.
Based on their analysis, Flores and Camacho said the municipality will save almost half of their monthly fuel expenses—or over $2,000 monthly.
Camacho said the total fuel expenditures also covers diesel used for the heavy machines owned by the municipality for its beautification projects and road repairs.
