Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Here’s a compilation of top stories trending this month in Samoa News.

ENTRY PERMIT CHANGES

Through a “Notice of Intended Action” issued Feb. 24, the Department of Legal Affairs announced proposed amendments to immigration rules, with changes to be made to the Entry Permit section, under the American Samoa Administrative Code — the ASG regulation.

 A new full provision proposed states: “A clearance from the American Samoa Medical Center business office and the District Court of American Samoa. A medical clearance and police clearance from country of origin, unless the Attorney General or his designee waives one or more of such clearances if there are adequate measures to protect the health and safety of the residents of American Samoa.”

Another provision of the Entry Permit, provides for a 14-day pass, which is $10 per person per trip; available only to citizens of the Independent State of Samoa.

Proposed changes added to this provision: “...with a registered business in Samoa, who travels to American Samoa for a business purpose. Must have a valid travel document, roundtrip ticket, local sponsor and clearances from the District Court of American Samoa and the American Samoa Medical Center business office.”

According to the “Notice of Intended Action”, a copy of the proposed amendments are available and may be picked up at the Office of the Attorney General, ask for Tuu Farani, at the Third Floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building, Utulei or may be downloaded from the American Samoa Government website (www.americansamoa.gov) or the Department of Legal Affairs (https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/)website.

Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed amendments to the Office of the Attorney General on or before March 16, 2023.

No explanation is provided in the notice for the reason behind the proposed changes but Samoa News understands that about 4 lawmakers who knew about this action, plan to seek an explanation from the Administration when the Fono reconvenes on Mar. 13.

2020 STATISTICAL YEARBOOK RELEASED

Statistics on Law and Order containing data on crime, traffic accidents, firearm registration, correctional facility, population, fire, and court activities in fiscal year 2020 are reported by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and included in the 2020 American Samoa Statical Yearbook released last week Wednesday by the Commerce Department.

And for a point of interest from the yearbook: data shows that the inmate population in FY 2020 are mostly U.S Nationals and this is the same in FY 2019.

Under subsection, “Law Enforcement”, the yearbook states that DPS reported 223, Part I offenses in FY 2020. Part I Offenses include eight crime categories: murder and non-negligent homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson.

The most crimes committed during FY 2020 were larceny, burglary, and assault — in both the first and second degree.

Data in the yearbook reported 97 larceny cases, 64 burglary and 39 cases for assault. Other data shows 6 cases for arson, 3 on criminal homicide, 12 cases on “forcible rape” and two robbery.

Interestingly: no cases were reported in FY 2020 for motor vehicle theft.

More statistics in furture editions.

FLAG DAY SPORTS

Through a Mar. 03 memorandum, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga has continued the government policy authorizing two-hours of paid time off for ASG employees participating in Flag Day league sports, if the games are held during the employees work hours.

The governor first initiated this policy last year for Flag Day league sports but all such events and other gatherings were canceled — including Flag Day celebrations — following the community spread of COVID-19 in late February 2022.

Earlier last month, Human Resources Department re-posted on its Facebook page the governor’s memo from last year, allowing the two-hours paid time off for Flag Day sports saying that it remains valid unless it’s repealed by the governor.

 Flag Day league sports — such as the annual cricket tournament, for both men and women’s divisions — is organized by the Office of Samoan Affairs, which also oversees the Flag Day Fautasi Race.

“To promote healthy living and wellness activities in our Territory,” the governor announced in his Mar. 03 memorandum that he is authorizing ASG employees participating in Flag Day sports sponsored by Samoan Affairs to be allowed two hours of paid time if the games are scheduled during the employees’ shift.

According to the governor’s memo, addressed to cabinet members, all employees planning to take advantage of this opportunity should make arrangements with their immediate supervisor as soon as possible. And team rosters will be verified through the Office of Samoan Affairs.

All other ASG employees, according to the governor, “are highly encouraged to continue with the ASG Wellness Hour” initiative that was implemented through a memo two years ago.

NEW HOSPITAL PROJECT

The Department of Health will take over from the LBJ hospital moving forward with the implementation the new 40-bed hospital, which came as a surprise to the Director of Health.

The move was confirmed by Vice Chair of the LBJ Board, Dr Jean Anderson during a meeting between LBJ officials, Department of Health officials and members of the Architectural firm Hawaii Limited that arrived on Monday to confer on the design of the new medical center. Samoa News was present at the meeting that took place on Wednesday, March 1.

 “This is the first we’ve had a discussion with the medical staff and the consultants on island working on the new hospital.

 “Our doctors were able to share some of there recommendations about the hospital and some of the things we discussed were possibly how this hospital can complement what LBJ does and what DoH does and maybe not end up being something that duplicates services,” said Dr Anderson.

 “We had some of our medical staff express concerns — do we even need a new hospital and why can't we use those resources towards upgrading LBJ and maybe some DoH clinics?”

Dr Anderson during the meeting commended the architectures for wanting to hear feedback from the medical professions regarding this new medical facility set to be built at the industrial park.

 “We just want this to really be an opportunity for us to dialogue on. What’s exciting about it is that we didn't really plan that we were going to be here with our partners from DoH but we're grateful that you're here because maybe now this is an opportunity that we can collectively talk about health care on our island.

As reported earlier by Samoa News, $50 million of the $300 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act is allocated for recruitment, retention, and retraining of staff at LBJ and the proposed new 40-bed facility in Tafuna.

There was no indication at the meeting who made the decision to move this project to the leadership of Dr Motusa and the Department of Health. Dr. Motusa exclaimed how surprised he was at this development

TALOFAPASS UPDATE

The COVID-19 Task Force Operations financial report covering 2022, provides a new update of what the government plans to do with the TALOFAPass online platform, that was utilized to pre-screen travelers entering the territory during the COVID restrictions.

 The report revealed that a “committee has been tasked to transition the platform to explore new and innovative uses as we adapt to the post COVID-19 environment.”

And this endeavor will be headed the ASG Chief Information Officer. The task is to transition the platform as a tool to improve government services for the residents and businesses in American Samoa, according to the report.

“This development will allow a wide range of possibilities providing better delivery of public services to the people, enhancing business and industry collaborations, citizen empowerment through access to information and more effective governance,” the report says, but didn’t elaborate on when the committee will begin its work and a time frame to have it completed.

The report shows that $3.2 million for the “Safe Travels”, TALOFAPass was paid to contractor, DataHouse.

RETIREMENT FUND BOARD MEETING

As of December 31, 2022 the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF) noted three consecutive quarters of negative returns for both stocks and bonds, before capital markets rebounded on signs of reduced inflationary pressures and a tempered pace of federal rate hikes.

This is outlined in a report submitted during the Retirement fund meeting held in Las Vegas last week and obtained by Samoa News.

The report was prepared by Sageview Capital, an American investment firm.

“Revising a trend of US dollar strength, the US declined about eight percent against a basket of major foreign currencies during the quarter.

“Over the quarter ending December 31, 2022 major capital markets advanced materially but not enough to overcome negative results over the full calendar year.”

The report states that the ASGERF portfolio gained 8.7 percent during the 4th quarter outpacing the policy index, which gained 7 percent.

For 2022, $15.75 million was the contribution yet benefits and cash outs amounted to $25.86 million, leaving $10.11 million; this led to a loss of $25.35 million, with general and administrative expenses at $1.884 million.

The reported losses of $37.34 recorded in the net position along with $195 million from the beginning of 2022, leaves a reduced amount of $158.14 million in the fund.