Flashback – Dec. 2000-Dec. 2002

Dec. 20, 2000

DOF insists compromise on unpaid CUC bills

Finance Sec. Lucy DLG. Nielsen took a hard-line stance yesterday on the government’s tussle with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. over its unpaid billings, saying both sides must compromise to resolve the long-standing issue. She was quick to remind CUC officials that the government has been helping the utility agency overcome financial difficulties by waiving the excise tax on fuel which costs the CNMI coffers at least $3 million every year. “The CUC board should take into consideration the contributions made by the government, such as funding for [capital improvement projects],” Ms. Nielsen told reporters in an interview after attending the confirmation hearing of Public Auditor Mike S. Sablan at the Senate.

Peter wants debts with health care providers settled

The chair of the House Committee on Health and Welfare will only support the hiring of Hawaii Management Alliance Association (HMAA) unless the Government Health Insurance and the Department of Public Health settles the debt with the two private health providers in Hawaii. Rep. Malua Peter has expressed concern on the delay in payment of Straub Clinic & Hospital and Queens Medical Center, making it difficult for members of the government health insurance to seek medical treatment in these institutions. Representatives from the Office of Management and Budget, Departments of Finance and Public Health met with Rep. Peter last week to discuss ways on how to settle the debt with the health providers as soon as possible before it turns into a medical disaster for the CNMI.

Dec. 20, 2001

NMHC signs home financing deal with HSBC

The Northern Marianas Housing Corporation and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Ltd. yesterday signed a residential financing agreement, as part of efforts to make home ownership a possibility even among low-income families. Under the Collaboration Guaranty Resident Loans to Qualified Borrowers agreement, NMHC Board Chair Juan S. Tenorio said that HSBC will be providing guaranteed loans to borrowers for purposes of constructing homes, home improvements, and purchasing single family residential homes. Tenorio said that the agreement will enable the NMHC to further enhance residential loan assistance to borrowers. He added that the NMHC is still inundated with residential loan applications as the demands for residential financing exceeded the agency’s supply of available funding.

Atalig: Power-sharing a personal decision

Stung by pointed-albeit mild-criticism over his statements relating to a proposed power-sharing scheme in 13th Senate leadership, Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig clarified that his decision to relinquish one of his chairmanships is a personal decision that the leadership had allowed him to make. “It’s not that I am in a position to give out committee chairmanships. It’s just that, as was mentioned before by Sen. [Joaquin G.] Adriano, those who are handling two committee chairmanships may relinquish one of their committee if they want to do so and that’s what I did,” Atalig said. Atalig said he intends to give up his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Health, Education and Welfare Programs, in favor of Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez. This leaves him with the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs.

Dec. 20, 2002

Senate OKs $31K for Dandan school

The Legislature has approved an appropriation bill that would set aside funds for the purchase of collateral equipment for Dandan Elementary School. The Senate sealed its approval to House Bill 13-65-which reappropriates some $31,458 to the precinct I school–during a session Wednesday. The House of Representatives passed the measure on March 7, 2002. The bill was introduced to assist the public school cope with the costs of obtaining maintenance and other school supplies, according to the bill’s proponent, Vice Speaker Manuel A. Tenorio.

Tinian agricultural homestead project is moving forward

The Marianas Public Land Authority’s progress on the expansion and development of agricultural homesteads on Tinian has recently advanced. The agency has indicated that it is currently in the project’s initial phase, which involves conducting a perimeter and topographical survey of the project site at Marpo Valley on Tinian. The surveys will allow the MPLA to exclude areas that are physically not conducive for agricultural activities. “We are pleased that this project is aggressively progressing,” said Manny Villagomez, vice chairman of the MPLA Board of Directors. “I have asked the staff to put a high priority on this so that we can accommodate many of the pending applicants on Tinian.”