Easing of employment ceilings for DPW axed • Teno vetoes bill removing CPA, CRM from his jurisdiction

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has disapproved two recently-passed legislation, including a measure seeking to strengthen administration of capital improvement projects that was intended to complement appropriation of multi-million dollar federal construction grants in the CNMI.

A bill that would remove the Coastal Resources Management and the Commonwealth Ports Authority from the jurisdiction of the executive branch was also vetoed due to questionable provisions approved by the Legislature.

While he threw support behind attempts by lawmakers to hasten construction of government infrastructure projects on the island, Tenorio objected to one particular provision in Senate Bill 11-136 or the CIP Administration Improvements Act of 1999.

That provision would grant powers to the Public Works Secretary to go beyond the employment ceilings provided under the appropriation measures as part of the efforts to improve administration of CIP program of the government.

“This is an improper delegation of authority, as that responsibility is specifically reserved to the Legislature,” the governor said in his veto message.

“If this line is removed, it would not hamper significantly the intent of the measure and I would be able to sign it into law,” added Tenorio.

Offered by Senate President Paul A. Manglona, the bill would have been a fitting complementary to efforts by the Commonwealth to set aside money for CIP grants made available by the federal government.

According to the Legislature, the Department of Public Works does not have enough personnel to administer the CIP program which only results to delay of the project.

The bill proposed that 10 percent of the total project cost should be allotted for contract management and administration of the CIP to ensure its completion on schedule.

Since this provision would mean contracting professional services, direct employment and non-personnel expenditures, the proposal did not limit the number of employees who can be hired by DPW to meet this requirement.

“It is the purpose of this Act to clarify the law and remove impediments that may have discouraged administrative/managerial use of the permissible portion of CIP appropriations,” the bill pointed out.

Tenorio, however, asked legislators to delete the provision, saying he agreed that the measure “will greatly assist in moving forward our CIP progress.”

CRM, CPA status retained: Meanwhile, Senate Bill 11-116, offered by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, was thumbed down largely due to disastrous consequences of the move to reinstate CRM and CPA on their autonomous status prior to a revamp carried out by the previous administration.

Tenorio maintained this action would have significant effects on the executive branch and large numbers of appointed employees, both currently and formerly with the two agencies.

Under Section 509 of Executive Order 94-3, which was implemented by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio, CRM and CPA were placed under the authority of Department of Lands and Natural Resources and DPW, respectively.

However, the present administration is trying to undo the order, starting with the reorganization of the old Marianas Visitors Bureau to the current system.

The local chief executive said the overhauling should be reviewed thoroughly, as he asked the Legislature to delete a provision in SB 11-116 that used pending court cases as a basis for the revamp.

“The decision to vacate Section 509 in its entirety must be made after careful consideration of the consequences of the vacation and the steps necessary to implement the changes to minimize the impact on the government,” Tenorio said.