Senate open to granting expending power to Inos

The Senate has agreed to amend a proposed measure granting spending powers to the Commissioner of Education over close to $30 million in capital improvement projects for the Public School System in a bid to expedite the sector’s critical infrastructure plans.

Senate President Paul A. Manglona said the amendment would include reduction in funding for a proposed public library on Rota, which has drawn concern from the administration as it was not included in the original CIP plan.

House Bill 11-455 will amend a new law that sets aside a total of $29.96 million for various PSS projects on Saipan, Rota and Tinian and grants expenditure authority to Commissioner Rita H. Inos.

This amendment is intended to comply with the conditions set out when PSS floated bonds worth $15.6 million to be able to raise funds to match federal construction grants.

But the measure, passed last week by the House of Representatives, also altered the appropriation earmarked for two Rota projects, slashing $600,000 from the $1.8 million allotted for the completion of Sinapalu Elementary School to increase funding for construction of new public school libraries on the island.

Rota Rep. Alejo M. Mendiola had sought changes in the distribution of the $3.74 million share for his island, giving at least $1 million for a public library in Tatachog and $100,000 for a library in the public school.

The move, however, has raised worries as the source of funding restricted spending to specific projects presented to bond investors which did not include the Tatachog library.

Under the Senate version of the bill, the planned library will not be given $500,000 while the reinstating that amount to the elementary school project.

“The issue on PSS has been resolved, we just have to pass it,” Manglona said in an interview yesterday, adding they would ensure that the library would get funding while the Sinapalu school would have additional eight classrooms constructed.

The Senate is expected to hold a session next week to pass this legislation.