Flashback May 9, 2000-2002

[B]MAY 9, 2000

PCB screening begins[/B]

Seventy-year-old Frank Q. Aguon lived in Tanapag village where the electric capacitors were used as fence in front of his house. Unaware that the capacitors contained 100 percent PCB oil as well as the dangers posed by the highly toxic chemical, Aguon said he just ignored the sight of some of the capacitors leaking. After learning about the health hazards brought about by exposure to PCB, Aguon went to the newly-opened village clinic for medical screening. The clinic, which was set up by the Department of Public Health, will conduct a health evaluation of all people who have lived in Tanapag as well as conduct a special blood testing to determine the PCB level in their bodies.

[B]Gov’t may join lawsuit[/B]

The Attorney General’s Office is exploring the possibility of working with the private lawyers in its planned action to seek damages for any property of the Commonwealth that may have been destroyed as a result of the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in Tanapag village. Attorney General Herb D. Soll said a decision will be made soon in consultation with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio whether or not the planned lawsuit will be handled by private lawyers or not.

[B]CDA rules out add’l loans for clients with delinquent credits[/B]

Instead of releasing additional funds for distressed businesses, the Commonwealth Development Authority has taken a new tact aimed at helping clients cut down on expenses to make it through the hard economic times. Business experts from the development authority have been mobilized to call borrowers who have delinquent accounts for a series of consultation meetings, which CDA holds to identify problems that affect the ability of its clients to pay their dues on time.

[B]MAY 9, 2001

Revenues at five-year low[/B]

The CNMI government has reported a five-year low in the amount of revenues generated from taxes during the financial year 2000, as expenditures went up from the previous year. Government earnings in the last fiscal year was the lowest since 1996, according to a report obtained from the CNMI Department of Commerce.

[B]Gov’t workers paying higher premium rates[/B]

The NMI Retirement Fund recently introduced a comprehensive insurance coverage and higher premium rates after signing an agreement with an independent insurance firm last month. Group Health and Life Insurance Manager Dolores Moore yesterday disclosed that Individual Assurance Company representatives are on island to conduct routine orientation.

[B]DPS joins international fraud busters network[/B]

CNMI’s inclusion into the US dial-up network has increased its vulnerability to consumer fraud, a criminal intelligence official said yesterday. Amid growing worries of an ill-secured consumer market, authorities are broadening protection measures in defense of local consumers who may be prone to submit to the screaming charms of Internet-based promotions without assurance of its legitimacy.

[B]MAY 9, 2002

NMI wooing PAL for direct Manila flights[/B]

A Northern Marianas delegation will leave today for the Philippines to negotiate the resumption of direct Manila-Saipan flights with top executives of the country’s flag carrier. Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas will be leaving with Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, Marianas Visitors Authority acting Managing Director Vicky Benavente, and CPA Board Member Roman Tudela.

[B]Senate rallies behind Tenorio in influencing minimum wage bill[/B]

Responding to Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio’s call for support in signifying the CNMI’s willingness to adopt the American Samoa tiered wage system, Senate President Paul A. Manglona said he immediately faxed such a support letter on behalf of the Senate. He added, though, that the upper chamber would still come up with a resolution, expressing the sense of support for the adoption of the tiered minimum wage system in the Commonwealth.
[B] ‘An upper jab to a knocked down economy'[/B]

Labor and Immigration Secretary Joaquin Tenorio yesterday said implementing minimum wage adjustments at this time when the economy has gone from worse to worst is untimely. Tenorio said that, although an increase in minimum wage should be eventually looked into, adopting this into a policy at this time will hurt businesses further, citing the recent blight that afflicted the banking sector, an indication of the Commonwealth’s worsening economy.