FLASHBACK – Jan. 26, 2012

Jan. 26, 1999

EQ shuts Aquabest

Aquabest Water Company has been ordered closed by the Division of Environmental Quality after a random testing showed that its bottled water is not safe to drink. But Aquabest said management is now carrying out corrective measures so that DEQ can give them the go signal to resume operation. “We want to assure our clients that we are doing everything to solve the problem,” said Mikko Magsaysay, general manager. When Aquabest began operation in June 1998, it immediately got a big market share as it offered more affordable price for its bottled water, thus, forcing the rival firms to lower their rates too.

Auditor urges govt to recover $961,122

The Office of Public Auditor has identified a total of $961,122 in improperly spent monies that once recovered would help the government improve its financial condition. The amount accumulated because audit recommendations were not properly implemented, according to Public Auditor Leo LaMotte, who suggested that an official from the Governor’s Office be designated to pursue the closure of open or resolved recommendations. The report showed funds were either misused by government officials and agencies or paid to salaries and other services contracts.

Jan. 26, 2000

Legislature, CUC set stage for Saipan power plant bidding

Lawmakers and utility officials yesterday agreed to forge ahead with the much-delayed power project for Saipan, this time by working closely together during the forthcoming bidding process that the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation will undertake by next month. In a meeting between members of the Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications from both houses of the Legislature and CUC Board, questions on the controversial project were raised, while mapping out next course of action by the government-owned utility corporation. Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez, PUTC chair in the upper house, said the Legislature had asked the board to get its inputs and recommendations on the project before it invites bidders to offer proposals for a 60-megawatt power plant.

DPH seeks more funds to match fed grants

The Department of Public Health is seeking a $33.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2001 as the Medicaid Program continues to be under funded due to budgetary constraints. DPH Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez yesterday said the CNMI government is having difficulty in matching the federal grant of close to $1.9 million. Currently, the department is only able to provide close to $200,000 in local funds. A huge amount of money for medical referral program has been saved with the hiring of specialists from the U.S. mainland but some of the cases that they have recently for treatment in U.S. hospitals have been serious illnesses which are very expensive.

Jan. 26, 2001

Rota runway project ready by July

The Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed construction works at the Rota International Airport runway is progressing well and that the project will be completed according to the original schedule presented by its contractor. Executive director Carlos H. Salas said re-sealing of the island’s air transport facility’s runway started on time, adding that construction work is running smoothly. He said the refurbished runway would be ready by July this year. The project is being carried out at a cost of $2.79 million by Nippon Hodo Construction Limited, which emerged as the apparent low bidder. Its bid includes remarking, regrooving and rehabilitation works at the island’s airport runway.

WSR opens new food facility

William S. Reyes Elementary School served yesterday meals to its students for the first time at its newly-constructed cafeterium with, not surprisingly, an eager number of takers wanting to set foot on the $543,000-worth facility. The WSR food court is the Public School System’s newest addition to the series of Capital Improvement Projects targeted to reach completion this year, spearheaded by the State Board of Education CIP Committee. PSS officials and construction managers gathered yesterday for a brief ribbon cutting ceremony that paid recognition to the successfully-formed partnership between the BOE, the school system, Department of Public Works, legislators, and North Pacific Builders, the project contractor.