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Macaraig lauds completion of review of CW final rules
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Posted on Aug 12 2011
Philippine Consul General Medardo Macaraig said the completion of the review of final rule on the Commonwealth-only transitional worker program by the Office of Management Budget of the White House is a welcome development.
“We welcome that news. This definitely helps lessen the uncertainties. But we’re still waiting for the actual release of those rules,” Macaraig told Saipan Tribune.
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget received the regulations on June 15 and finished its review on Aug. 9, ahead of the Sept. 15 review period deadline.
This development also comes months before the Nov. 27 deadline or the last day of the two-year period allowed for foreign workers to remain in the CNMI using a Commonwealth-issued permit under the federalization law.
“It’s good that the regulations are coming out very soon. The sooner we get them, the better,” added Macaraig.
According to Macaraig, waiting for the release of the final rule on the transitional worker program for the CNMI has been difficult not only for the Filipino community but also for other nonresident workers.
Macaraig said that once the regulations are published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, the Consulate will gather Filipino workers’ groups and discuss its impact with them.
“We will hold a video conference so we can include the Filipino communities on Tinian and Rota during the discussion,” added Macaraig.
