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Santos grateful for additional staffing for DCCA on Rota
Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota) is pleased that the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has requested a budget for Fiscal Year 2017 adding more personell to the department’s office on Rota as well as Tinian.
“A review of DCCA budget indicates personnel is allotted each for eligibility work in Child Care Licensing, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Nutrition Assistance Program,” she said.
Sen. Jude U. Hofschnieder (R-Tinian) is in favor of the increase of budget for the DCCA. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ proposed budget of DCCA for fiscal year of 2017 is $2.425 million. DCCA Secretary Robert Hunter is asking a budget of $2.3 million for the coming fiscal year.
DCCA’s budget for fiscal year 2016 was $1.4 million.
The increased budget for DCCA would allow the agency to hire additional personnel and is greatly beneficial to DCCA due to the steady decreasing number of applicants under NAP.
According to a press release by the NAP last July, the number of NAP registrations have been steadily dwindling down. With registrants reaching below 500 since 2009, the economy of the CNMI has been steadily improving.
Because of this boost in economic activity, Santos expressed gratitude toward Hunter’s suggestion for Rota and Tinian’s additional personnel to be appointed under social worker and the arts coordinator.
“I also expressed gratitude for Secretary Hunter’s inclusion of two additional Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s) for Rota and Tinian, that is, social worker and arts coordinator,” said Santos. “But most especially [grateful to Hunter] for fully supporting the operations and other needs of Rota and Tinian’s DCCA and Aging Program.”
Santos is also appreciative of the efforts of Chief Justice Alexandro Castro and Presiding Judge Robert Naraja for offering the use of the courthouse.
“Appreciation is also extended to Chief Justice and Presiding Judge for allowing Rota CCA use of the other portion of the courthouse after the former CCA office was condemned or is no longer safe for usage,” said Santos. Hunter was also praised once more for his effort. “Again, I commend secretary Hunter and his leadership for their continued support to our Rota and Tinian Offices.”
