Yan Che Magofna named Saipan’s overall gov’t employee of the year

The CNMI government has named Department of Finance’s Division of Customs and Biosecurity inspector Yan Che Magofna as Saipan’s overall government employee of the year.

Yesterday, in the spirit of camaraderie, all CNMI government departments and agencies came out to the Garapan Fishing Base for a fun-filled day in celebration of Labor Day.

During the celebration, the CNMI government honored 19 individuals from different government entities in Saipan who were named “employee of the year”.

The overall Government Employee of the Year for Saipan was Magofna, who was not present during the event.

Meanwhile, Rota and Tinian also had their recognition ceremonies with Division of Emergency Medical Services’ Alfonso A. Reyes named Rota’s overall government employee of the year, and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Jonovan H. Lizama being named Tinian’s overall government employee of the year.

Aside from the overall government employees of the year, the CNMI government also recognized others deemed “employee of the year” in their respective departments.

They are:

Mariano Aguon, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Field Operations heavy equipment operator supervisor

Albert Lee Tenorio Aldan, Dept. Of Fire & Emergency Management fire crew supervisor

Kenn L. Aldan, Dept. of Public Works, Division of Technical Services Federal Program coordinator

Jack Roman E. Aranda, Marianas Visitors Authority, Community Development Community Projects coordinator I

Judy I. Arriola, Dept. of Community & Cultural Affairs, Office on Aging Community Development technician

Florita S. Billy, Dept. of Commerce, Div. of Enforcement ABTC law enforcement officer I

Rikki C. Camacho, Bureau of Environmental & Coastal Quality, DEQ Federal Grants coordinator

Caitlyn Joan L. Crisostomo, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, library assistant I

Joaquin D. Diaz, Dept. of Public Lands, Div. of Planning surveyor II

Tina Marie Leon Guerrero-Camacho, Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources administrative officer III

Hensley Litulumar, Northern Marianas Housing Corp., administrative receptionist

Johanna K. Lizama, Dept. of Corrections, administration corrections officer I

Monica V. Manibusan, CNMI Scholarship administrative officer I

Porche P. Masga, Office of Personnel Management Human Capital Management specialist

Jose C. Naputi, Office of the Governor, HSEM State Warning point officer

Jeffrey I. Norita, Dept. of Public Safety police sergeant

Norlane Arlene V. Rafana, Dept. of Labor, Division of Labor Enforcement labor enforcement specialist III

John Yarofalir, MD, CHCC general surgeon

The nominating committee stated that to explain in detail the full extent of the enormity of work being performed by Manglona would be extremely difficult to do.

“In illustrating the degree of work being performed by Magofna where to specifically quantify would be impossible at this point, more than 180 hours of her work time had been committed to transcription of interview documents from the Chinese to the English language alone. Furthermore, Magofna has been involved in over one 100 drug enforcement investigations that required her to produce reports as part of individual case file documentation activities,” the committee stated.

“In addition to the above, Magofna has often been called upon to assist other federal law enforcement agencies in their investigations because of her extraordinary skill-set in speaking both the English and Chinese languages. What’s important to note or recognize is that inspector Magofna has been made somewhat of a “workhorse” at her current assignment because of the rarity of the language skills she currently possess and given the unique high demand for Chinese translators. Magofna being a Customs and Biosecurity inspector also places her in an extremely difficult situation when it comes to balancing her time from not just between time to complete law enforcement reports and transcribe recordings but, finding the time to spend quality moments with her family at home,” the committee added.