Flashback – May 1999-May 2001

May 4, 1999

CNMI seals PSS bond deal

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, along with Board of Education Chairperson Esther S. Fleming and Commonwealth Development Authority Board Chairperson Juan S. Tenorio, yesterday signed the $15.7 million bond purchase agreement that will clear for the implementation of key projects for the education sector. Proceeds from the bond float will cover local matching requirements for the construction of new schools and additional classrooms under the Capital Improvement Projects of the Section 702 of the Covenant. Building of new campuses for high school and a junior high, as well as repair of several existing school facilities, has been pushed back due to shrinking cash resources of the Commonwealth.

HANMI lauds CPA for incentives

The Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands yesterday commended the Commonwealth Ports Authority for helping revive the island’s ailing tourism economy by providing incentives to airlines. Ron Sablan, president of HANMI, expressed hope that this will encourage airlines to expand service in the CNMI to help boost traffic and increase hotel occupancy. “Even if all the four signatory airlines servicing various routes to the CNMI will always be in full capacity, hotel occupancy will still be only 50 percent,” said Sablan.

May 4, 2000

Seamen sue employer for $6M

A group of Filipino seamen yesterday filed a complaint before the U.S. District Court against their employer, demanding over $6 million in damages representing unpaid wages, penalty charges and other costs. Angyuta Shipping Co. Ltd., which owns and operates the Panamanian-registered M/V Celeste, was slapped with the lawsuit after the plaintiffs claimed they have not been paid their wages since June 1999. Nicolas A. Songsong, president of the shipping firm based on Rota, could not be reached for comment on the suit. The telephone numbers listed in the phone book are temporarily out of service.

DLNR mulls new policies for farm shelters

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources is mulling over new policies that would create standardized farm shelters for Kagman farm workers amid conflicts involving some 30 farm structures that have reportedly been converted into permanent homes. DLNR also disclosed yesterday plans to hold talks with Kagman farmers, the Attorney General’s Office, the Division of Public Lands, and the Department of Agriculture with high hopes of reaching an agreement on the issue. The parties will meet to review the existing farm land lease agreement and explore possible solutions to the issue at hand.

May 4, 2001

Chief justice details NMI Judiciary’s feats

The Commonwealth judiciary hosted yesterday a gathering that detailed an undivided focus on the local judicial system’s string of accomplishments and visions. The inaugural event which from this year on will be known as the Commonwealth’s State of the Judiciary Address was attended by distinguished members of the legal community and other dignitaries. The address, delivered by Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan, reflected on the local judiciary’s long years of service. Speaking before a room full of audience, the presiding justice of the Supreme Court dwelled on various facets that make up the judicial branch, highlighting on the series of developments made possible by its own members.

CDA processing more housing loans

The Commonwealth Development Authority is expediting the processing of loans for residential units, in efforts to help local residents own a decent housing facility. CDA has been receiving an average of 20-40 housing loans every month. The agency has been instrumental in ongoing housing projects which include the construction of almost three hundred residential units. CDA has, to date, approved approximately 200 loans. Closed housing loans at present involve about 180 to 200 units and the rest, with an average of 20 to 40 loans every month, are still being processed. Although there are very few construction activities for residential units seen in the community, he explained that this is because it takes time before the erection of the structure starts after the loan has been approved.