Gov. Benigno R. Fitial certified at least 76 vacant positions in government offices between Oct. 26 and Nov. 10, but members of the House of Representatives question whether some of the jobs-including those for an administrative assistant and receptionist-need to be filled at this time.
The 76 certified vacant positions are included in 18 separate certification documents, copies of which were obtained by Saipan Tribune.
Fitial, in letters to Senate President Pete P. Reyes (R-Saipan) and House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), said the vacant positions “must be filled during the period of our present continuing resolution.”
“The filling of these vacant positions is of vital importance for the efficient delivery of essential public services. Continuing appropriations are available for the full personnel cost associated with these vacancies,” Fitial said.
The House and the Senate failed to pass a Fiscal Year 2010 budget in time for the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. The CNMI is again under continuing resolution.
On Monday, the House rejected the Senate-amended budget bill that contains austerity measures, including a four-day workweek. A joint conference committee has been formed for a compromise bill.
Of the vacant positions certified by the governor, 32 are at the Department of Public Health, mostly for nurses and one for a doctor, while 25 are at the Department of Public Safety, mostly for police officers.
Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said last week that new doctors and staff nurses have been hired recently to fill various critical posts at the hospital.
Fitial's certifications also include vacant positions for an administrative assistant at DPS, administrative officer I at the Department of Commerce, a clerk III at the Office of the Attorney General, a receptionist at the Women's Affairs Office, and a general maintenance at the Emergency Management Office.
The rest are for jobs at the Department of Finance's Customs Division, Department of Public Works, Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Tinian Health Center, as well as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and the Department of Public Lands.
'Proper?'
Rep. David Apatang (R-Saipan) questioned whether it is “proper” to hire for positions that do not seem critical, when there is no budget in place and in light of the government's dwindling financial resources.
He also noted the governor's certification of vacant positions outside critical agencies such as DPH and DPS.
Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan), when asked for comment, said “it's completely unconscionable that the administration would push to slash current employees' salaries by 20 percent while continuing to hire new employees for positions that seem less than critical.”
House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), during a session on Monday afternoon, instructed Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Ray N. Yumul (R-Saipan) to verify whether these positions are budgeted for or still fall within the continuing resolution.
Sablan also asked whether Yumul could verify whether these vacant positions have ever been announced.
But as Fitial's certification letter stated, “continuing appropriations are available for the full personnel cost associated with these vacancies.”
Yumul said the governor is not obligated to get the approval of the presiding officers of the Legislature to fill vacant government positions.
“That authority of the Legislature to approve or disapprove hiring expired in '09 under PL 16-32,” he said.
Certification letters
On Oct. 26, Fitial issued two certification letters. The first one was for two vacant positions at Commerce, including one for administrative officer 1, and one for Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control law enforcement officer I.
The second one was for 31 vacant positions at DPH. These include 10 positions for staff nurse; three positions for eligibility worker I; two positions each for licensed practical nurse, clinical laboratory scientist, and medical referral assistant; and one position each for nursing assistant, nurse midwife, staff pharmacist, pharmacy specialist, pharmacy technician, staff physical therapist, food service manager, kitchen helper, medical records technician I, clinical attendant II, security guard II, and communication operator II.
A separate certification involving DPH was issued on Nov. 5-a vacant position for a pediatrician.
On Oct. 28, the governor certified 21 vacant positions at DPS. These include seven police cadets under local account, nine police cadets under federal account, one administrative assistant, three wild land firefighters, and one dispatcher.
Separate certifications involving DPS were issued on Nov. 3 and 10. The first one was for a driver's license technician, and a vehicle registration technician. The second one was for two dispatcher I posts.
On Nov. 3, Fitial certified one vacant position for a clerk III at the OAG, as well as one vacant position for a customs inspector I at Finance's Customs Division, and for a conservation officer I at DLNR.
Fitial also certified one vacant position each for a library assistant I and a library assistant II at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library; a position for a mining director at DPL; a position for one account clerk I at the Tinian Health Center; a position for a foreign student assistant at Commerce; and a position for director at DPW's Division of Roads and Grounds.
On the same day, the governor also certified one vacant position each for a supply technician I and equipment operator IV, as well as two positions for equipment operator III, at DPW-Rota.
On Nov. 5, Fitial certified one vacant position for a receptionist at the Women's Affairs Office; one for director of Agriculture at DLNR; and one each for a communications operator and general maintenance at EMO.
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
