Previous Story
BOR adopts CNMI travel policy
|
Posted on Jun 05 2000
Effective last Friday, traveling Northern Marianas College staff and officials will adhere to the general CNMI Travel Policy which provides for per diem travel allowance granted in cash dependent on occupancy and travel rates at the country or area of destination.
The NMC Board of Regents has acted on the initiative in light of certain “bad experiences” NMC staff and officials have encountered in several of their off-island business trips under its own travel policy.
The old policy allowed the college administration discretion on where to house NMC official delegates to particular off-island functions.
According to NMC Director for Finance and Administration Services Alvaro Santos, employees often had problems with purchase orders and college checks which apparently are not being honored by most mainland hotels and other business establishments.
“They don’t accept the checks issued by NMC,” said Mr. Santos.
Most NMC employees who do not own their very own credit cards are also faced with major problems while off-island for college-related transactions.
“And most of our delegates don’t own credit cards. This policy is very cumbersome on the part of the college,” Mr. Santos added.
From now on, NMC employees representing the college in off-island trips will be given per diem allowance depending on existing lodging or accommodation rates for the indicated number of days.
And instead of checks, allowances will be issued in cash, at the convenience of college delegates.
Furthermore, employees will also have the prerogative to stay at the hotel of their choice as long as it does not exceed the travel budget. (MM)
