Flashback May 4, 1999-2001

No extra money for PSS[/B]

Some 50 public school teachers, staff and parents yesterday stormed the Governor’s Office to lobby for additional funding in another bid to prevent the suspension of the kindergarten program and further layoffs in the education sector Confronted with financial troubles, the Public School System is currently implementing deep cost-cutting steps that include non-renewal of employment contracts of close to 300 non-teaching personnel and elimination of the Headstart program. The governor, however, explained declining revenues are tying his hands to commit extra money for the sector. “In the event that our economy improves, we will make sure that PSS will be given additional funding,” he said.
[B] Legislature scrambles for cash to fund pet projects[/B]

The powerful House Ways and Means Committee has been instructed to check into the availability of funds under a previous appropriation law in an an obvious attempt to raise funds for several pet projects of legislators seeking reelection. Rep. Karl T. Reyes is expected to meet this week with officials from finance and public works departments as well as from the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to see whether there is still remaining balance from the $23 million allocated by the Legislature in 1994 for road, sewer and water projects. The move stemmed from attempts by House members to scramble for funds to push their respective projects in precinct level which are otherwise not qualified to receive money under the Capital Improvement Projects.

Gov’t agencies ignore OPA recommendations[/B]

The number of delinquent recommendations issued by the Office of the Public Auditor soared 18 percent to 181 in 1999 from the previous year’s 153, indicating several government agencies’ apparent neglect in taking prompt action to address financial loopholes. The finance department topped the Public Auditor’s list of CNMI government agencies that are unable to act on the several recommendations it issued last year. DOF failed to take action on at least 50 recommendations issued by the OPA in its 18 audit investigation reports for the agency in 1999, while the Department of Public Safety failed to address 11 loopholes identified by the Public Auditor in its report.

With the extensive reforms carried out by garment manufacturers on the island on health and safety issues, Saipan may well become a model for all the garment factories in the world, according to a federal official. Frank Strasheim, administrator for Region IX of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, commended garment manufacturers for working cooperatively with OSHA in implementing changes and willingness to have their factories inspected. “We think that garment factories have come a long way. What I can see is the prospect of the garment industry in Saipan not only doing much better on workers’ safety but become a worldwide model for the garment industries everywhere,” said Mr. Strasheim.

Diversification may impact environment[/B]

With all indications pointing to expanding the economic base of the Northern Marianas, government officials and business sector leaders are warned that precautionary steps should be taken to minimize the impacts diversification may have in the environment. Recommendations from a special government body created specifically to revitalize the Commonwealth’s ailing economy are expected to include safety nets or measures that would protect and preserve the islands’ pristine environment. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has consistently said that protection and preservation of the Commonwealth’s fragile eco-system and natural resources will remain a top priority in the development of new industries.
[B] Residents told to prepare for dry season[/B]

With the dry season beginning two months sooner than expected because of the continuing El Nino phenomenon, the Commonwealth Utilities Commission has advised the public to start preparing for a shortage of water and to take the necessary steps to conserve the valuable resource. CUC Special Advisor for Corporate Communication Pamela Mathis said the utility’s water supply is now two-thirds down from its desirable level. The shortage has been mitigated by the lack of rainfall in the months of March and April. If residents are already feeling the pinch of waterless and probably even “bathless” days due to dry faucets, CUC says it would even get worse. The utility predicts water shortage to become even more pronounced once the days get deeper into the months of June and July.