Flashback April 17, 2000-2002

[B]APRIL 17, 2000

CNMI files protest vs Continental[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority on Friday wrote the U.S. Department of Transportation decrying Continental Micronesia’s treatment of Saipan and Guam as co-terminals which CNMI officials claimed has adversely impacted CNMI’s tourism industry. This is the first formal protest lodged by the CNMI government against the decision of the Continental Micronesia to drop direct international flights to and from the Northern Marianas.

[B]Young lauds labor and business reforms[/B]

Two crucial legislation on labor and business reforms passed recently by the House of Representatives have drawn support by some members of the U.S. Congress, boding well for the efforts to spur the local economy, according to Speaker Benigno R. Fitial. He said U.S. House Resources Committee Chair Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) is “very pleased” with the passage of the twin measures “because he believes that we are doing the right thing.”

[B]Takeover of Outer Cove Marina depends on probe outcome[/B]

A planned oversight hearing on the controversy surrounding the Outer Cove Marina will uncover possible wrongdoing in the construction as well as operations of the berthing area, according to Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes. The senator earlier has asked Rep. Bobby Guerrero, chair of the House Commerce and Tourism Committee, to conduct the joint investigation into the dispute between boat owners and Marine Revitalization Corp., operator of the marina.

[B]APRIL 17, 2001

CUC bares fiscal conditions[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation yesterday submitted the comprehensive financial report ordered by the Legislature in light of the ongoing joint inquiry on its $150 million outstanding loan to the Commonwealth Development Authority. House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication Chair Rosiky Camacho disclosed CUC met the deadline set by the Legislature and filed the report late yesterday afternoon.

[B]Kagman needs new textbooks[/B]

The Public School System recently approved the release of about $60,000 in total funds for the procurement of more than 600 textbooks needed by students of the newly-opened Kagman Elementary School. School principal Ignacia Demapan disclosed in an interview yesterday that procurement of more than 600 language and arts textbooks are now underway.

[B]CNMI lacks fire protection facilities[/B]

The Department of Public Safety is asking the Legislature to approve its proposed Fiscal Year 2002 appropriations of $14.6 million to expedite major improvements in several police programs. DPS Commissioner Charlie S. Ingram disclosed that one of the critical areas that need serious consideration is the Firefighting division which lacks equipment and other materials to aid them during fire incidents.

[B]APRIL 17, 2002

NMI popular as wedding destination[/B]

The September 11 terror attacks in the United States recoiled positively to the Northern Marianas, which, along with Guam, has been cited by travelers from Japan as one of the preferred wedding destinations around the world. This, even as the Japan Travel Bureau disclosed that reservations for honeymoon trips to the islands dropped by 4.6 percent from 95.8 in the 2001 Spring Honeymoon Season to this year’s 93.4 percent.

[B]Once more with feelings: Diversify[/B]

As tourism remains to be the CNMI economy’s bread and butter together with the apparel sector, the Pacific Asia Travel Association said the Commonwealth needs to tap other tourist markets, particularly Europe, just as another Pacific country—Palau—has penetrated the region. “Palau has an agent and a tourism office in Germany. They’re really attracting a lot of tourists from Europe, from Germany, specifically to Palau for diving,” said Carmen C. Gaskins, special project committee chair of PATA’s Micronesia Chapter. “We can coordinate and cooperate with that, and have a share market.”

[B]Yes to motive but no to timing[/B]

The movers and shakers in the Commonwealth’s business sector support and fully understand the reasoning behind the need to implement a tiered-wage system in the CNMI. This was the general sentiment expressed by business sector leaders during a meeting yesterday with Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio at the Office of the Governor.