Previous Story
Fitial, Villagomez expand split responsibilities
|
Posted on Apr 03 2006
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is following through on his plan to focus on economic-related issues and allow his lieutenant governor to run the rest of government.
According to press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr., Fitial announced yesterday that government agencies would be split into two groups.
The governor intends to take care of agencies that have direct impact on the economy, including the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Commonwealth Development Authority, and the departments of Commerce, Labor, and Finance.
For his part, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez has been tasked to handle agencies that deal with the community. These agencies include the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Carolinian Affairs Office, and Indigenous Affairs Office.
Last week, the governor also delegated Villagomez to oversee the management and operations of the former Commonwealth Utilities Corp., which is now the utilities division of the Department of Public Works.
The utilities division is currently under a state of emergency declaration by the governor.
Furthermore, Villagomez had been given authority to sign on the governor’s behalf all personnel actions, employment contracts, independent contracts, change-order contracts, travel authorizations, and certifications of vacant positions. The lt. governor’s signature authority became effective Jan. 27, 2006.
In other news, the administration has lifted a policy to have all media go to the press secretary for information.
Fitial, according to Reyes, has agreed to allow all department secretaries and agency heads to speak for their respective agencies “now that they know all the principles of the administration.”
