‘Suspend all off-island travels at MPLA’

The transition team for the Marianas Public Lands Authority has recommended that, besides reviewing the off-island travels of the agency’s officials, it should also suspend all travels outside the Commonwealth to prevent wasting financial resources through junkets.

This developed following recent trips of certain MPLA officials to Seattle, Washington.

The transition team recommended the suspension of all-off-island travels “unless authorized by board action for a period of 90 days, or until the board of directors amend the current travel policy and procedures to maximize its financial resources and minimize junkets.”

“We recommend that prior to amending the current travel policy, the current travel policy and practices by the board of directors and management staff of MPLA should be reviewed. Recommended amendment is to include proper travel justification and planning prior to authorization of travel,” the committee said.

MPLA spokesman Ed Arriola Jr. recently confirmed the off-island travels of certain officials to Seattle, but he has yet to provide details regarding inquiries about the cost of travel.

MPLA chair Ana Demapan-Castro, board member Nicolas Nekai and commissioner Edward DeLeon Guerrero went to Seattle to attend the Western States Land Commissioners Association conference at the Hotel Monaco Seattle from Jan. 8-12, despite the scheduled inauguration of Gov. Benigno Fitial on Jan. 9. Until yesterday afternoon, DeLeon Guerrero reportedly remained off-island.

In a Jan. 4 memorandum, Demapan-Castro said DeLeon Guerrero would be off-island “on official business beginning Jan. 6, 2006 through approximately Jan. 17, 2006,” designating Vincent T. Castro in an acting capacity during commissioner’s absence.

Demapan-Castro, meanwhile, issued another memorandum on Dec. 30, 2005 about her off-island trip beginning Jan. 7 and the designation of Manuel P. Villagomez as acting chairman until her return on Jan. 13.

“The foregoing delegations of authority are restricted, and shall not include the processing of personnel actions or personal service contract, procurement matters or reprogramming of MPLA funds,” stated the Dec. 30 memo, which made no mention as to whether or not the trip was for official business.