Flashback November 6, 2003-2004

[B]November 06, 2003

Melon flies invade NMI[/B]

Millions of Melon flies have invaded the islands.

The situation has adversely affected agricultural production, doubling up the impact of the noxious ivy gourd that has spread to significant proportion.

“Farmers are really affected,” said Isidoro T. Cabrera, agricultural consultant for the Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service. Currently, there are at least 135 active farmers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, he said.

Melon flies have large black spot on the wing tip and black cross streak on the wing. The U.S. Agricultural Service considers Melon fly as a major economic pest, which feeds on various agricultural crops such as squash, cucumber, melon, tomato, pumpkin, guava, papaya, cowpea, string bean, and bitter melon, among others.

Cabrera said the ivy gourd, an invasive vine that destroys plant life and any other living matter underneath it, has further spread during the rainy season, allowing Melon flies to propagate.

[B]Saipan-Manila flights extended until April[/B]

Citing strong consumer demand, Continental Micronesia yesterday disclosed that it would extend its direct service between Saipan and Manila, Philippines, which was scheduled to begin on Dec. 9, 2003, up to April 2004.

Originally, Continental planned to offer the Saipan-Manila-Saipan nonstop flights until Jan. 16, 2004.

Continental Micronesia Saipan Office resident manager Ivan Quichocho said bookings have been increasing since the airline company disclosed its direct air service from Saipan to the Philippines.

“The bookings have been very good and we are flying the route up to April next year. We are not going to leave a good market but still we have to see if this would continue. We would keep it up to April,” Quichocho said.

He added that Continental Airlines is hoping that the market would be able to support a continued-possibly permanent-direct air transport service between Saipan and Manila.

[B]November 06, 2004

CUC water lab re-certified[/B]

The Division of Environmental Quality has reinstated the certification of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. water laboratory, allowing the utility firm to again analyze the quality of drinking water samples.

DEQ director John I. Castro announced yesterday that the re-certification was issued last Thursday, over a year since CUC’s water laboratory permit was revoked amid various violations.

Castro said the utility corporation has since met all the requirements, prompting DEQ to re-certify the laboratory.

CUC chair Frank Guerrero said the utility firm would terminate its contract with Tanapag-based Quality Waters Inc., which has analyzed all CUC drinking water samples since the revocation.

[B]House: No new action vs Palacios
[/B] The House of Representatives has no plan to impose any new disciplinary action against Tinian congressman Norman S. Palacios as he had already been suspended for a month in 2002.

House leadership spokesman Charles Reyes Jr. clarified yesterday that the 13th Legislature had adopted a resolution in Sept. 2002-shortly after Palacios’ conviction by the trial court on assault and battery charges-putting Palacios on a month-long suspension without pay.

At that time, the lawmaker was not allowed to vote or otherwise participate in session or committee meetings.

“He is not committing a new crime. It would not be fair to sanction him twice for the same reason,” said Reyes.