Colonia, Yap, February 15, 2024 — At 10 AM, the Cabinet meeting was held at the Governor's Office, presided over by Governor Chieng. Attendees included Lt. Governor Itimai, the Director of the Department of Youth and Civics Affairs, Alex Gilfiley; the Director of the Office of Administration, Joseph Giliko; the chief of planning/acting director of the Office of Planning and Budget, Jonathan F. Fathal; the Director of Resources and Development, Leelkan Southwick; the Director of the Department of Public Works & Transportation, Joe Giltug; the Director of the Department of Education, Dominic Fanasog; the Director of the Department of Health Services, Maria Marfel; the Chief of Staff, Paul Ayin; and Chief of Litigator in attendance for the Attorney General, Jesse Raglmar.
The meeting covered a range of departmental issues, including updates on ongoing projects and departmental initiatives. Director Giliko reported on various ongoing tasks, including the audit schedule, minimum wage submission awaiting review, the confirmed date for the finance conference, and the implementation of a suggestion box to enhance departmental operation. Director Gilfiley provided updates on several key areas: the collaboration process with FSMTC, the Protocol’s recent and upcoming undertakings(e.g. Coast Guard ship in route and textbook donation by U.S. Air Force via Military Plane ), collaboration with the Department of Defense(DOD) on training programs(e.g. coordinate with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to train local police, Internal Revenue Resources(IRS) and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) trainings extended to private sectors), preparation of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery(ASVAB), recent projects by the Historic Preservation Office(e.g. Building Canoe projects), upcoming events by the Gender Support Office(e.g. Woman International day local cooking event on March 8th), a recent contractor hired for Youth Services, and Youth Sports receiving appreciation letter from the Outer Island and an appreciation letter from the Council of Tamol to the Director of DYCA for extending the Chrismas festivities and movie night to the outer islands of Yap because it was the first time to happen. Chief Fathal discussed updates on various aspects: the status of the PMO manager, ongoing projects in the planning division(e.g. drafting documents), a compilation of the FY25 budget status and rectification of budget increases by the budget division, and the process of securing additional grants by the grant writer. Director Southwick reported the ongoing projects for the agriculture division, such as the workshop for food security and scheduled visitors. Chief Raglmar discussed the budget process for police training, ongoing prosecution, and the status of the upcoming arrival of the newly hired assistant attorney general. Director Fanasog highlighted various key points: ongoing school maintenance, a compilation of school data(e.g. K-12 enrollment numbers), a scheduled meeting for a community awareness referendum, and current issues including sewage flooding the center. Director Gitug updated the status of infrastructure projects, including completed, ongoing, and upcoming works at the airport, seaport, and roads(e.g. Managing cargo vessels arrival, overseeing management projects, repairing northern roads, coordinating incoming flights, and addressing work requests). Director Marfel concluded by addressing several updates: recent completion of certified training, changes in responses to emergency calls, upcoming field visits to the Outer Islands via H2 ship, objectives to promote health materials( i.e. handout incentives during Yap Day), and efforts to facilitate health initiatives in various schools.
The cabinet meeting is also live-streamed biweekly on the Yap State government's Facebook page to ensure transparency.
(For additional information, please contact DYCA PIO at (691)350-2168. Thank you)
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