Ogo: Time for excuses is over

Rota Representative Julie Marie A. Ogo said the time for excuses is over for artist payments from the Arts Council.

“I call upon my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in demanding immediate answers from DCCA Secretary Frank Rabauliman and the CNMI Arts Council Board regarding the unacceptable delay in paying our CNMI artists,” she said in a social media post today.

She added, “Our artists have fulfilled their obligations, yet many continue to wait months—some even longer—for compensation they have rightfully earned.”

Ogo said that she and Representative Marissa Flores, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Tourism, conducted a committee hearing after uncovering the significant number of unpaid artists throughout the Commonwealth.

“The problems have already been identified. What remains is immediate action to correct them.”

Ogo said it has become even more urgent in the aftermath of two devastating super typhoons.

“The continued lack of urgency is unacceptable. Our artists should not have to repeatedly ask for payments that are already owed to them. Government agencies have a responsibility to administer these programs efficiently, transparently, and with accountability,” she explained.

She’s calling on Governor David Apatang to immediately fill the existing vacancies on the CNMI Arts Council Board and direct DCCA Secretary Frank Rabauliman to implement the committee's findings, correct the deficiencies that have caused these delays, and ensure that all outstanding artist payments are processed without further delay.

She said, “To every artist still awaiting payment, I encourage you to contact your respective Representative and ask them to demand immediate action from the Secretary of DCCA. Your voices matter, and together we can ensure this issue receives the attention and urgency it deserves. Our artists have waited long enough. They deserve respect. They deserve accountability. Most importantly, they deserve to be paid—now.”