Saipan Tribune

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Friday, January 18, 2013

CIP Office turns over $20K worth of equipment to Corrections

The Office of the Governor’s Capital Improvement Program Office, led by CIP coordinator Virginia Villagomez, yesterday turned over some $20,000 worth of equipment and tools to the Department of Corrections to use for its Community Service Program. The equipment was funded through a grant applied for by the CNMI and awarded by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

"The Community Service Program will facilitate the maintenance of public areas using personnel with court imposed obligations," stated Villagomez. "Under this structure, OIA funds will provide a much needed maintenance program at minimal costs. Essentially, the program will obtain approximately $105,000 in free labor from this $20,000 grant funds we requested."

The Fitial administration lauded the work of the CIP Office in successfully securing this grant and the Department of Corrections, which will have custodial authority and use of the equipment and tools as part of the Community Service Program throughout the public areas.

"The maintenance of public facilities and parks will greatly improve the appearance and cleanliness of the public areas," stated Gov. Benigno R. Fitial. "Moreover, through the Community Service Program, our residents and visitors can expect a cleaner and more enhanced environment."

Under this approved grant submission, the funds received from OIA were used to procure two riding mowers, four push lawn mowers, ten bush cutters, two blowers, two Worx blower/vac/mulcher, sixteen lawn rakes, sixteen shovels, and 11 refills of line trimmers. The Community Service Program will service public areas such as the Beach Road pathways, Marpi Public Cemetery, Emergency Operation Center, and other public parks and facilities. (Office of the Governor)