‘FEMA docs reveal $367.4M had been obligated as federal share for $493.3M in eligible projects’
The summary of the Federal Emergency Management Agency documents provided through the Freedom of Information Act as requested by Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) reveals that $367.4 million had been obligated as FEMA federal share for the eligible projects totaling $493.3 million pertaining to disasters and COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry about the FOIA request, DeLeon Guerrero said over the weekend that, in order for the CNMI Legislature to ensure that the $367.4-million obligated federal share is received by the CNMI government, the CNMI Governor’s Authorized Representative need only give them a simple “yes or no” confirmation.
She said her office is also assuming that $125.9 million is the balance from the $367.4 million FEMA obligation, which again requires them to seek confirmation from the CNMI GAR.
DeLeon Guerrero filed a FOIA request last September to obtain information about FEMA reimbursements for CNMI expenditures related to disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her FOIA filing to Washington, D.C., DeLeon Guerrero requested for documents regarding FEMA’s reimbursements for CNMI expenditures since 2018 pertaining to Typhoon Mangkhut, Super Typhoon Yutu, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also requested for, among other things, information about the actual FEMA reimbursement payments to the CNMI.
Myra Campbell, who is the lead government information specialist for the FEMA Information Management Division Disclosure Branch, responded to DeLeon Guerrero’s FOIA request last Oct. 20. The Senate received the response last Oct. 23.
The Senate president told Saipan Tribune that she is grateful for FEMA’s quick response as the report provides clarity on the cost submitted for reimbursements and how much has been received so far as approved reimbursements.
She said they now must work with the Executive Branch in validating the FOIA numbers and how these reimbursed expenses are being recorded in the CNMI’s fiscal year books and if they are subject to appropriations by the legislature.
DeLeon Guerrero said she is now working with the Senate’s lawyer to review the legal applicability of subjecting these reimbursements as appropriation funds.
She said the main concern over the $367.4 million is how much has been received as reimbursement by fiscal years 2018 to 2024 as of Oct. 24, 2023 and how were the reimbursed funds used and distributed in the general funds and amongst other government funds.
Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero
