NORTHERN Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. Executive Director James Rayphand expressed his regret over funding that the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs stopped providing after NMPASI filed a lawsuit four years ago.
The funding is for neglected or abused manamko’ who seek the help of NMPASI.
“The manamko’ funding stopped when we named then-DCCA Secretary Melvin Faisao in a lawsuit,” Rayphand said.
The funding was used to provide independent representation for elderly people with neglect and abuse claims and is approximately $10,000 a year.
But Rayphand said NMPASI is not saying that DCCA’s decision to stop the funding was linked to the lawsuit although he now hopes that the department’s new leadership will look into the issue.
NMPASI, a non-profit organization, gets federal grants, but these do not include funding for helping those abused elderly who do not have a diagnosed disability.
NMPASI sued Faisao, in his capacity as DCCA secretary in 2010, after the Kagman Juvenile Detention Unit denied NMPASI access to the facility.
At the time, NMPASI had a client at the detention center who asked for its services.
District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona dismissed the lawsuit after both parties agreed to resolved the issue.
By Richelle Agpoon-Cabang – richelle@mvariety.com – Variety News Staff