FLASHBACK – Feb. 17, 2012

Feb. 17, 1999

Governor thumbs down lands bill

A proposed measure envisioned to prevent loss of agricultural lands to development projects and curb CNMI’s dependence on imported farm products by extending agricultural and grazing permits to five years was disapproved by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio on grounds that it would tie the hands of government agencies in managing public lands. The proposal also provides for compensation of $10,000 to permit holders whose permit will be terminated other than failure to comply with requirements. But Tenorio said he preferred the existing regulation that gives one-year permit that is renewable subject to availability of agricultural lands

CPA continues to argue on fees hike

Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Carlos H. Salas has maintained that the Legislature would have to appropriate financial support to the agency to avoid any interruption in its airport services if it does not push through with the planned rate increases. In a speech before Pacific Aviation Directors workshop in Honolulu, Salas said the planned rate hike has become “unavoidable” to cover operating expenses and debt service payments despite strong opposition from the public and the private sector. But Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has ruled out any bailout for the financially troubled ports authority since the executive branch could hardly raise the $5 million to $6 million payroll requirement for the more than 4,000 government employees brought about by shrinking revenues.

Feb. 17, 2000

Teno: Exemptions satisfy moratorium law

The labor and immigration department has reviewed all hiring moratorium exemptions granted by the administration to ensure complete compliance with existing local labor laws, according to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio. Mr. Tenorio said the Department of Labor and Immigration reviews all exemption applications submitted to his office to identify which among the requests meet the requirements set by the hiring moratorium law. He noted that most of the exemption applications need professional and skilled manpower which is currently not available from the existing local labor force. The governor is confident his actions pertaining to the granting of exemptions were in full compliance with Public Law 11-6, citing the thorough review each application undergoes at the DOLI.

DYS seeks master plan to strengthen criminal justice system

Due to limited financial resources, a master plan for the criminal justice system must be drafted soon to help draw up priority areas and assist the administration in channeling funds to prevention programs. According to Division of Youth Services Director Eloise Furey, the number of the people participating in the various prevention programs of the Division has considerably increased, putting a tremendous pressure on the agency. “I am not asking for more money but the reality here is if we set up more prison beds, then we will see less and less support for prevention programs,” she said.

Feb. 17, 2003

Dialysis centers on Tinian, Rota in the offing?

Following the lifting of federal sanctions against him, Dr. Vicente Aldan now looks forward to pursuing his long-overdue goal: to set up hemodialysis centers on Rota and Tinian. In a media briefing last week, Aldan said his company now awaits the signing of a loan agreement with the Marianas Public Lands Trust for the two projects amounting to $3.4 million. “We’re now able to pursue our projects. We are on the verge of signing an agreement to build a first class dialysis center on Rota and Tinian. Once signed, we will do the construction in about three months from now. Hopefully, they would be finished before December,” said Aldan.

CRMO cancels citation vs CUC on sewage overflow

Recognizing efforts to address the perennial sewage overflow at the Tanapag Social Hall, the Coastal Resources Management Office rescinded Friday the citation it had issued against the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. for violating environmental regulations. CRMO administrator Joaquin D. Salas acknowledged that CUC has plans to further improve its sewage system, besides the recent upgrading of its T-1 lift station in Tanapag. “It is CRMO’s desire to closely work with CUC to adequately deal with this problem and we do not wish to arbitrarily impose measures upon CUC, especially in light of the recent upgrade and the plans to further upgrade the area’s sewage system,” Salas said.