Tinian Customs faces possible disconnection

The Tinian Customs Division may have its power cut on Jan. 8, 2024, as its parent agency, the Tinian Department of Finance, does not have the money to pay for utilities.

Tinian Department of Finance resident department head Milissa A. Mendiola informed Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita in a letter dated Dec. 1, 2023, that she is seeking help with funding their prepaid utility meter account for the Customs Division for the duration of fiscal year 2024.

If the division’s prepaid account meter is not loaded soon, this will serve as their formal notification to Norita’s office that their utilities will be disconnected on or about Jan. 8, 2024.

If that happens, Mendiola said, they will have no choice but to limit their services to the community of Tinian until such time their immediate utility needs are addressed.

Mendiola described their funding situation on Tinian as an “urgent matter.”

Mendiola noted that a provision of the fiscal year 2024 budget was vetoed by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, leaving them with no resources to cover the cost of utilities.

Although there is flexibility for departments to use their revolving accounts, she said that Tinian Finance has no revolving account.

Additionally, Mendiola said, they were not given operating funds and have exhausted their only other option of personnel lapses.

Given that their department has exhausted all the means available to them, it leaves her no choice but to reach out to their “state counterparts” for assistance, she said.