Flashback May 15, 2000-2002

[B]MAY 15, 2000

No abortion at CHC[/B]

Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez has said that no abortion will be performed at the Commonwealth Health Center unless the CNMI court says otherwise. Despite a legal opinion which says that any woman may obtain an abortion in the Northern Marianas, Mr. Villagomez maintained that the lone hospital on the island will strictly adhere to a provision of the Commonwealth Constitution that prohibits such practice.

[B]Cholera warning raised in FSM[/B]

Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez has advised travelers going to Federated States of Micronesia, especially Pohnpei, to take the necessary precautionary measures with the outbreak of cholera in the neighboring island. Mr. Villagomez urged travelers coming from Pohnpei and other FSM jurisdictions who are experiencing symptoms such as profuse watery diarrhea or leg cramps for the last five days to immediately visit the Commonwealth Health Center for medical attention.

[B]During calamities CDA gives break in agri loan payments[/B]

In the absence of crop and marine insurance on the island, the Commonwealth Development Authority has put in place a program designed to help local farmers and fishers cope with financial losses caused by natural calamities. Under the CDA program, local farmers and fishermen who have outstanding loans with the government-controlled lending agency are given a break in payment until the next harvest season.

[B]MAY 15, 2001

Businessmen want minimum wage raised to $4.50 an hour[/B]

Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Anthony Pellegrino yesterday raised the possibility of scrapping the nonresident workers’ fringe benefit and replacing it with a higher minimum wage of at least $4.50 per hour. In an interview yesterday, the chamber president urged the government to explore the possibility of raising the minimum wage, while eliminating other benefits like free housing, meals and plane fare extended to guest workers.

[B]Over 1,000 qualified voters remain unregistered – BOE[/B]

The Board of Election yesterday complained of difficulties in reaching more than 1,000 unregistered voters in the Northern Marianas, as the November general elections draws near. Executive Director Greg Sablan disclosed that despite appeals made by the election board urging unregistered voters to go out and be listed for the upcoming polls, only a handful had so far surfaced to register.

[B]Higher franchise fees for telecom providers urged[/B]

The governor’s nominees to the proposed telecommunications commission are urging lawmakers to address several loopholes in the newly-enacted law that regulates the local telecom industry. In particular, they want to see the franchise fee provision of the new law increased from the current 0.5 percent to 2.5 percent. They said the money identified to finance the commission’s operation is not enough to cover its needs.

[B]MAY 15, 2002

Philippine Airlines coming to Saipan[/B]

The Philippines’ flag carrier will provide direct service between Manila and Saipan beginning September 2002, in time with the airline company’s scheduled completion of its research and documentation of the route. This was agreed upon between CNMI officials and representatives of the Philippine Airlines during a meeting that was held in Manila Monday afternoon.

[B]EPA warns against environmental crimes[/B]

To show that it means business in enforcing laws against environmental crimes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday said violators face criminal prosecution, following the first ever visit to the CNMI of the agent-in-charge of its Criminal Enforcement Agency for the Pacific region. Agent-in-charge Scott West came to Saipan Saturday and left yesterday morning. According to the EPA, West’s presence was to serve as a deterrent to those who intend to commit environmental crimes.

[B]$1.81-M allocate for Saipan projects[/B]

Some $1.81 million that would go toward several projects on Saipan are now available after Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed into law three local appropriation bills and one reappropriation measure. The primary beneficiaries of the new appropriation measures are the Street Naming Commission, the Northern Islands municipal government, the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Gualo Rai sewer distribution lines.