Community Briefs

ADA SYMPOSIUMS POSTPONED

The Developmental Disabilities Triagency Network—CNMI CDD, NMPASI, UCEDD—is informing the public that the ADA Symposium for the following sessions listed below have been postponed until further notice.

Session III – July 19, 2004 & July 21, 2004.

Session IV – July 22-23, 2004.

However, Session V—July 26, 27 & 28, 2004 and Session VI—July 30, 2004 are confirmed as scheduled. For more information, call 664-7000.

UPAA MOVES RAFFLE DRAW DATE

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association CNMI Chapter has moved the June 12 fund-raising raffle draw to Aug. 14, Saturday.

Those who have not yet purchased tickets are encouraged to do so. Proceeds will go to the UPAA’s “Donate a Classroom Project” in the Philippines, and will help recognize and support deserving CNMI students.

The Aug. 14 raffle drawing will be held at the POLO office, 1st Floor of Nauru Building in Susupe, 6pm.

TORRES OFFERS FREE NOTARIAL SERVICES

Former congressman Stanley T. Torres, who is also a notary public, is offering free notarial services to all U.S. Army Reservists and their dependents.

Torres can be contacted through the offices of:

Rep. Heinz Hofschneider 664-6969
Rep. Jesus Attao 664-8822
Rep. David Apatang 664-8980
Or in an emergency 287-9255

OVERSEAS WORKERS CREDIT UNION MEETING SET

The Overseas Workers Credit Union (CNMI), Inc. is advising all members and subscribers about the monthly general membership meeting on Sunday, July 18, at 3pm, at the Filipino Resource Center, Ground Floor Nauru Bldg., Susupe. Overseas workers who are interested in knowing more and/or in joining this cooperative endeavor are welcome.

For more information, contact Lito J. Marques at 286-6337 or Jun Pendon at 234-8320.

SOCIAL SECURITY VISIT TO ROTA POSTPONED

The Social Security representative’s visit to Rota, originally schedule for today, July 16, has been postponed because the Pacific Islands Aviation flight from Saipan to Rota has been cancelled. The visit will be rescheduled when reliable air service from Saipan to Rota is again available.

For more information, Rota residents can call toll free at 532-9421. The local number on Saipan is 234-6203.

ASVAB EXAMS SET

Individuals 17-34 years of age who want to join the U.S. Army are urged to take the Armed Forces Services Vocational Aptitude Battery examinations set this today and tomorrow.

Today’s exam will be at 4pm at the U.S. Army Reserve Center. The next day, July 17, the exam will be held at noon, also at the U.S. Army Reserve Center.

Individuals who want to further their education, travel, to distant and exciting places, want valuable training to get a better job, serve the country and the Commonwealth, and get paid at the same time are encouraged to take the battery tests.

Interested people must bring a picture I.D. to process.

If there are any questions call collect (671) 477-7666 and ask for SFC Abadam (cell 671-687-3540) or SGT Benavente (cell 671-687-3660, or call the Military and Veteran Affairs Office at 670-664-2650/51.

GTC REGISTRATION SET

The Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School is informing all residents of As Matuis, San Roque, Achugao and Capitol Hill that today is the last day for the Kindergarten registration for school year 2004-2005. It will be held from 8am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

Parents and guardians need to bring their child’s birth certificate, a school entrance health certificate and the map to their house. Those who do not have a health certification will not be registered until they get one. Parents/guardians may come to the office to pick up the registration form.

For more information, call GTC at 664-3400/05.

ARTS AND EDUCATION TRAINING TODAY

The DCCA Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning will present the Standards-based Art Education institute “Weaving Pacific Art into Classroom Training” on Rota today and tomorrow, July 15-16, and on Saipan on July 17, 2004. Educators, artists, museum educators and other interested individuals may register by calling the Arts Council at 670-322-9982/3.

OFW HEALTH SCREENING RESET

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the OFW Advisory Council is informing the Filipino community on Saipan that the Health Screening Program this July is rescheduled for August 1, 2004, 9am, at the Ground Floor of the Nauru Building.

NMC English placement tests

Following is the schedule of our upcoming English Placement Tests:
Thursday July 29 Room D-1 1pm-4pm
Friday July 30 Room D-1 5:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday November 4 Room D-1 1pm-4pm
Friday November 5 Room D-1 5:30pm-8:30pm

There is a $25 fee for the English Placement Test that must be paid in advance at NMC’s Finance Office (M-F, 9am-4pm). Students will not be admitted to the testing room without proof of payment-a receipt for either the placement test fee or the NMC application fee.

All students seeking a degree and/or certificate are required to take the English placement test.

RESIDENTIAL, BIZ INSPECTIONS IN KAGMAN II VILLAGE

The Division of Environmental Quality and the Bureau of Environmental Health would like to inform the residents of Kagman II village that On-site Disposal System and premise compliance inspections would be conducted on residential and business facilities. The inspections has been ongoing since April 21, 2004 and will continue to be conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kagman II residents are requested to cooperate with inspectors in keeping their dog(s) on a leash, for the safety of the inspectors. Both BEH and DEQ inspectors are required to wear their respective uniforms and photo identification during all inspections.

For additional information on the OSDS inspections, contact the BEH office at 664-4870/2 or the DEQ office at 664-8500/1.

PAG-IBIG REFUNDS AVAILABLE

Pag-IBIG overseas program members from 1996-to January 1998 can now apply for a refund of their total contributions plus the 3-percent dollar interest tax-free.

“Just fill out a refund application form and you will receive your refund in U.S. dollars. After getting your refund, you can be a member again by submitting a new pop membership form and contribute a minimum of $5.00 per month,” according to a Pag-IBIG statement.

For a minimum contribution of $5 a month, former members can also activate their Pag-IBIG membership also in the Philippines using the same Pag-IBIG ID number.

“Your contribution will be converted into Philippine pesos using the current conversion rate and it will earn a 7.5-percent peso interest. After 25 to 30 years from your initial contribution, you are entitled to a refund in Philippine peso of all your contribution including interest tax-free,” the agency said.

For more information, call the Pop Saipan Office at 235-4749 or visit the Pop Office at the ground floor of the Nauru Building in Susupe and look for information officer Lynell F. Fulgencio.