Commerce chief to hire more professionals
Newly confirmed Commerce Secretary Andrew Salas said he plans to hire more professionals to be able to run the agency with greater efficiency.
During his confirmation hearing at the Senate last week, Salas said the department severely lacks critical personnel such as a bank examiner, an auditor, and economist.
“If we want to see a more organized, more efficient agency, we have to bring in professionals,” he told senators.
He said he was saddened to find out when he returned to Commerce that “we’ve lost really good people.”
His goal as secretary, he said, is “to bring back good people, bring back professionals.”
He noted that when he left the department in 2001, there were nearly 50 personnel but when he returned this year, he found only 32. Commerce receives only a little over $1 million budget a year, which is mostly spent on personnel salary. The department makes use of some $100,000 for operations.
Commerce consists of 56 available FTES.
Salas, who was director of Commerce’s Alcohol and Beverage and Tobacco Division, left the department in 2001 to run for a congressional seat.
Three years later, he returns as its department secretary.
Meantime, Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo called on Salas during the hearing to prioritize the elimination of solicitations in the Garapan commercial district.
He said solicitations of male tourists by female entertainers along the streets negatively affect the business climate.
“That, I believe, should be the first order of business,” said Crisostimo.
During the hearing, senators also asked Salas to look into issues concerning the issuance of qualifying certificates, banking, and local employment.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Salas Wednesday after his friends in the business and the House of Representatives spoke highly of him during the hearing.
