Rota, Saipan, NI mayors employ 61 community workers

The municipalities of Saipan, Rota, and Northern Islands employ a total of 61 community workers.

Records showed that the Office of Rota mayor has 31 community workers, receiving annual salaries ranging from $12,000 to $34,000.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office employs 20, who receive pay ranging from $12,000 to $19,000 per annum.

The Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, meantime, has 10 community workers getting an annual salary ranging from $11,000 to $14,000.

On Tinian, 71 community workers receive an annual salary ranging from $15,000 to $26,000.

Records showed that the Rota Mayor’s Office has 116 FTEs but 15 of these are not funded; Saipan has 84 with five unfunded positions (community workers); Northern Islands has 19 filled FTEs; while Tinian has 161 FTEs with two unfunded slots.

Documents showed that Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona employs four account clerks, 13 administrative assistants, 29 project development workers, seven special assistants, and six social workers.

In the Saipan Mayor’s Office, there are three accountants, four administrative assistants, 18 equipment and heavy equipment operators, two maintenance workers; the Northern Islands office has two administrative officers, and two mayor’s representatives, among others.

Earlier reports showed that Tinian has 11 public relations staff, 13 administrative and reception staff, 10 parks and maintenance workers, eight medical attendants, and several others.

Meantime, records showed that Rota Mayor Manglona has his nephew’s wife, Lorna M. Manglona, who works as administrative officer, under his payroll. She receives $30,000 annually.

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela reportedly employs two grandchildren: Jonathan T. Tenorio, who works as community worker; and Jemalyn T. Tenorio, who works as youth programs assistant. They receive $16,000 and $14,000 respectively.

Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja was earlier reported to have employed more than five immediate family members, who receive salaries ranging from $18,000 to $50,000.

Borja earlier explained that it is common to find relatives working in the same office in a small place like Tinian.

Besides, he said, “in this small island, almost everybody is your family.”

He also noted that the FTEs were created by the CNMI Legislature, not by him.