Yap, FSM— Last week on Thursday, July 18th, 2024, the Honorable Governor Chieng convened a cabinet meeting with his esteemed cabinet members to review and discuss various plans, projects, and reports about their respective departments and offices. Governor Chieng opened the meeting by sharing that discussion will go on matters of the status of minimum wage, military operations in the airfield, the 1.5 and 1.4 million projects, and the results of the election. Lieutenant Governor Itimai mentioned the ongoing progress of the increase of salary law, due to the outdated Public Service System Rule (PSSR), which requires significant amendments to align with the new salary structure. While legislative bodies have completed their part, the executive branch has faced challenges in finalizing the revised PSSR, causing further postponements.
Attendees included DYCA Director, OPB Director, DHS Director, DOE Director, Acting Directors for R&D and OAS, Attorney General, and a proxy for DPW&T, marking this as the end-of-the-month cabinet meeting. Each department provided comprehensive updates on their ongoing and upcoming agendas, fostering a collaborative environment where members could stay informed about each other's progress and initiatives.
Key discussions during the meeting included:
Office of Administrative Services (OAS)[Corrections were made]:The FY22 Audit is still incomplete because they need the preliminary findings from the auditors and the auditors need more audit samples. They have been waiting on them since June 2024. The fiscal inventory for all government fixed assets is expected to be done by September 30 2024 because some departments have provided their information but some have not according to the chief of procurement. They also have a new operating system that they are anticipating to be implemented by March 3, 2025, and they are working with a consultant to clean up the OAS operating system and transfer data files.
Department of Youth and Civic Affairs (DYCA): Shared concerning issues regarding the process of the salary increase is not fair to our people. For example, the Chief of Police and Chief of Media, who works around the clock and makes 17,000, receives a lower salary compared to some Department Chiefs in the Yap State Government who is in charge of less staff, works less hours, and makes more at 18,000 Likewise, the Captain of H2 who is in charge of about 30 people makes only 11,000 and will now make only 14,000. The DYCA Director also made reference that the Referendum documents were received from the DOE Director and the special election status of the letter of certification Governor recommended, which certified results are being announced.
Office of Planning and Budget (OPB): The FY24 Budget is under review, and additional information was requested by JEMCO and the Compact Management Office. The FY25 Budget was submitted to the president, and infrastructure updates include final designs for twin bridges and workshops for Compact 3 development.
Department of Resources and Development (R&D): Scholarships are being awarded, with 123 applications received, including 24 graduate students. The On the Job Training (OJT) program for 14 Yap High School students will end on July 26, and new business licenses and foreign investment permits have been issued.
Attorney General’s Office: The office is short-staffed and prioritizing recruitment following the Chief of Police's passing. Ongoing investigations and upcoming training programs for police officers are in place, including attendance at the FSM National Police Academy and border security training.
Department of Education (DOE): The summer workshop is complete, and DOE is working with PW&T to send teachers to outer islands and students to Yap. Public schools aim to open by August 12, with a focus on implementing standards in outer island schools, and integrating the Head Start Program for three- and four-year-olds.
Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T): Sea-TRANS received two cargo ships and a tanker, with ongoing dredging in Amun for road repairs. Fourteen projects are ongoing, with additional projects in various stages, and airport landings and security shifts are being maintained.
Department of Health Services (DHS): Singaporean doctors will arrive next Wednesday to train local doctors and assess hemodialysis needs. The National Licensing Board is recertifying doctors and nurses, and the state will receive $645,000 in program income and $250,000 from tobacco tax to help offset referral costs.
The meeting concluded with two announcements from Lieutenant Governor Francis Itimai about the Micronesian Expo and the Fishery Summit coming up.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work towards improving our services.
(For more information, please contact the Governor’s Office at (691) 350-2108 or the Office of Administrative Services at (691) 350-2142, or the DYCA PIO at 350-2168. Thank you.)
Comments