Flashback October 03, 2000-2002

[B]October 03, 2000

CDA asks banks to invest more on housing loans[/B]

In fresh efforts to beef up the CNMI government’s housing program, the Commonwealth Development Authority has started negotiation with private banks and financial institutions, encouraging them to intensify their long-term loan packages for homes. Board Chair John S. Tenorio said some of the banking institutions in the Northern Marianas have already pledged to upgrade their portfolio earmarked for long-term housing loans but only up to a limited amount.

[B]DPH warns against Tanapag land crabs[/B]

The Department of Public Health will issue an advisory this week warning people against consuming land crabs taken from Tanapag after preliminary test showed that eight land crabs from the cemetery were found contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl. While there was no significant sampling made in the testing conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 in May of this year, DPH Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez believes that the people should be discouraged from eating land crabs until a more extensive evaluation has been conducted.

[B]CPA exceeds debt payment requirement by 27%[/B]

The level of revenues currently generated by the Commonwealth Ports Authority from its marine division has started showing signs of improvement, empowering its ability to comply with the $33 million seaport bond indenture. After previously falling short to meeting the 125 percent debt coverage ratio requirement, CPA managed to exceed the required debt service coverage by injecting additional revenues from its seaport operation in August.

[B]October 03, 2001

Debate bares gubernatorial bets’ stand on critical issues[/B]

At first, they were pulling their punches—gentlemen to the bone and flashing toothpaste ad smiles. By the time the first intermission rolled by, claws were beginning to show and feathers were starting to get ruffled. By the time the debate neared its end, guns were a-blazing and Mr. Nice Guy got shoved to the back of the stage as the three contenders waded in—claws, fangs and all. The tension was so thick that, when the debate finally ended, the entire place erupted into cheers, catcalls, and clapping that became a sustained standing ovation.

[B]MVA’s Saipanda wears new outfit[/B]

A Japan-based production company yesterday donated a new Saipanda mascot costume to the Marianas Visitors Authority for its on-island and off-island promotional activities. Officials of Japan’s First Impression Production Co., arrived on Saipan to personally present to MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio and Deputy Managing Director Vicky Benavente the six-foot Saipanda mascot costume made in the United States. First Impression Production Co., official Kentaro Shimizu said the Saipanda costume, which has a built-in fan, costs $7,000.

[B]Reserves may be tapped to beef up airport security[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority may be forced to deploy local reserves, in the absence of national guards to boost current security measures at all CNMI ports of entry. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas yesterday said the Northern Marianas does not have enough law enforcement officers for deployment at the airport and harbor facilities.

[B]October 03, 2002

House overrides budget vetoes[/B]

The House of Representatives yesterday moved to restore the 12 line items vetoed by Gov. Juan N. Babauta on the $217-million Fiscal Year 2003 budget, in a rare override supported by a powerhouse 14-to-one vote by members. Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider justified the House action as a “policy call” that he hoped the Senate would concur with.

[B]Customs collections drop to $53M[/B]

Customs collections took a beating in the recently ended financial year, totaling $53.31 million in 2002 representing a steep 14-percent plunge compared to the year-end collections in 2001. From the $62.2 million collected in fiscal year 2001, total collections in both the user’s fee and excise tax showed a loss of nearly $9 million this last fiscal year.