Bill seeks to earmark $123K to Rota

House Vice Speaker Alejo Mendiola is introducing a local legislative measure that would earmark $123,000 in total funds generated from pachinko and poker machine license fees to major projects that will be undertaken by the local government of Rota.

The finance department said the government generated at least $123,000 from the Rota Local Law 11-1 which was implemented beginning Dec. 30, 1998.

Mr. Mendiola said his proposed measure would put these funds for use by the Rota local government in several essential community programs on areas that include livelihood, health and education.

Rota Local Bill 12-001 would authorize the island’s mayor to use some $33,000 for housing and vehicle rentals for medical referral patients, as well as training and workshop participants from the first senatorial district.

An additional $20,000 will be appropriated to the Rota Agricultural Fair, while $5,000 will be allocated to the Grace Christian Academy-Rota for its purchase of textbooks and other secular instruction materials, and another $5,000 will go to Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja for procurement of books and other educational materials.

Mr. Mendiola, proponent of the proposed measure, said the remaining $60,000 will be earmarked to the Rota Mayor’s Office to fund personnel costs and professional services.

“Medical referral patients from Rota could be assisted with housing or hotel rentals should the Rota Guest House be full, Students attending non-public schools in Rota will also benefit through the purchase of new textbooks and other reading materials,” he said.

With the current reduction of funds for the much needed personnel training, a portion of the funds can be tapped to accommodate workshop participants with hotels and car rentals, according to Mr. Mendiola.

Under the proposed measure, the Secretary of Finance will regulate and control the expenditure of funds appropriated by Rota Local Bill 12-001 to ensure that the funding is spent prudently and in accordance with existing policies.

As part of the proposed measure’s safety nets, it also requires the submission of a quarterly progress report from the designated expenditure authority for programs and projects funded under the bill to the Rota Legislative Delegation.