Staffler: When congress approves DUA, it will take two months to launch

CNMI Department of Labor Secretary Leila Staffler told Marianas Press that once U.S. Congress approves Disaster Unemployment Assistance, it will take two months to launch.

“CNMI DOL worked with our federal counterparts to make a really strong application. We went back-and-forth over six different budgets changes made after a lot of feedback and submitted to FEMA on June 8. Now we wait for their process which includes congressional approval,” Staffler explained to MP.

She added, “We are working with our federal partners to be ready to hit the ground running once Congress approves the request and we receive the notice of award (NOA).”

Staffler said, “Once it is approved [it] will take about two months to launch because we need to do some set up for procurement of resources and hiring and training. We can’t start any of it until we get the NOA.”

The news comes over two months since Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the islands.

This is a developing story.