Community Briefs – July 18, 2018

VA direct loan program outreach on July 24

The Northern Marianas Housing Corp., in collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, will be conducting outreach services regarding VA Native American Direct Loan Program for all the CNMI veterans. A representative from the Department of Veterans Office will be present to answer any questions regarding the program. The outreach will be held on July 24, 2018, at the NMHC Conference Room in Garapan, Saipan from 9am to 11:30am. For more information you may contact the NMHC Mortgage and Credit Division staff at (670)234-6866/9447/7670 or you may email Ms. Cherie Castanares, VA Representative, at cherie.castanares@va.gov or contact her at (808)433-0483. (PR)

MLSC seeks donations for school supplies project

Micronesian Legal Services Corp. is accepting cash or in-kind donations as part of its annual project to provide school supplies to needy children in the CNMI.

New school supplies or cash donations may be dropped off at MLSC’s Marianas Office in the VS Sablan Building, Chalan Piao (same building as the Subway sandwich shop).

Checks may be dropped off or mailed to us at PO Box 500826, Saipan, MP 96950 or you may call MLSC at 234-7729 and they will pick-up donations.

MLSC hopes to deliver at least 100 new backpacks with supplies to children in low-income households. MLSC identifies needy children from its work and from referrals made by Karidat Social Services and others.

MLSC is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your generous donations are tax-deductible. (PR)

Lower Base Transfer Station, Marpi Landfill closed on Saturday

In observance of the 2018 Liberation Day parade, the Lower Base Transfer Station and the Marpi Landfill will be closed at 1:30pm on Saturday, July 21, 2018. However, both facilities will open through lunch (11:30am-12:30pm). Normal operations will resume on Monday, July 23, 2018. (PR)

MHS SY 2019 student orientations schedule

Marianas High School will be conducting their school year 2018-2019 Student Orientations. Schedules are as follow:

-Incoming freshmen and new transfer students (all grade levels): Aug. 8, 2018, 9am-12pm – School Gym

-Ongoing Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors: August 9, 2018 . 9am-11am -School Gym

Registration is ongoing. Students will need to furnish a copy of their birth certificate, an updated health certificate, an updated student insurance, a copy of their 8th grade diploma (incoming freshmen), an official transcript (if transferring from another high school) along with a completed registration form. Last day to register will be on July 26, 2018. (PR)

NMHC voucher program list to open July 23

Pursuant to Section 5.1[1] of the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.’s Section 8 Administrative Plan, this is to inform the general public that NMHC is opening its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program’s (HCVP) waiting list starting July 23, 2018. The waitlist will remain open until it reaches its maximum number of applicants. Interested families may pick up an application at the NMHC Main Office on Saipan or the Field Offices on Tinian and Rota, or visit our website at www.nmhcgov.net to download an application. Please submit your application in person at the NMHC Main Office on Saipan or the Field Offices on Tinian and Rota, from Monday through Friday (except holidays) between 8am and 4pm. NMHC is not accepting on-line submission of applications as of this time.

-NMHC Main Office Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
-Tinian Field Office Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
-Rota Field Office Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

NMHC Housing specialists will review the applications and formally contact applicants to schedule an eligibility appointment. For more information, please contact NMHC at telephone numbers 234-6866 or 234-9446 (Saipan), 433-9213 (Tinian), or 532-9410 (Rota). (PR)

Release of PH passports announced

The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in coordination with the Office of Honorary Consul Eli Arago, has announced the release of Philippine passports to those who renewed their passports on May 21, 22, and 23, 2018. You can pick up your passports at Finasisu Terraces Apartment Bldg D, 2nd Floor, top of the Mini-Mart Store, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (12pm-1pm break time).

Bring old passport and receipt. For any inquiries or details, call Mel Santos at 233-6293. (PR)

Saipan Agricultural Fair on Aug. 4

Saipan Agricultural Fair Association is pleased to inform the community that the 35th Saipan Agricultural Fair will take place on Aug. 4, 2018, 9am-2pm at the Civic Center, Susupe.

Rulebook and pre-registration forms (fees apply) for the adult plant and animal competitions are available at the Department of Lands Natural Resources offices in Kagman and Lower Base, Office of Animal Health Services, the Garapan Public Market, and Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research and Extension Education Services, Building F. Rule Book and Pre-registration forms for the Youth Division are available at the NMC-CREES Main Office, Building F.

Deadline to submit the pre-registration forms is July 20, 2018. Proclamation signing for this event is on July 30, 2018 at 10am at the Governor’s Office Conference Room, Capital Hill. Farmers, ranchers, and the general public are encouraged to attend.

Please see below for contact information:

-Plant Division: Joshua Santos, 256-3319
-Animal Division: Juan Taman, 234-6169
-Youth Division: Lorenza Aldan, 237-6876
-Vendors Division: Tina DLG Camacho, 256-3319. (PR)