FLASHBACK – June 17, 2011

Additional funding to fortify MVA’s promotional efforts[/B]

The Marianas Visitors Authority has started identifying marketing strategies that will be funded under the $2.6 million package recently passed by the House of Representatives in line with efforts to effectively promote the CNMI as a prime tour destination. Initially, the MVA intends to strengthen the promotion of its “Happy Children in Paradise” and the “Marriage in the Marianas” programs through the funding package passed by the House Thursday last week. MVA acting managing director Vicky Benavente said the agency has started placing an effective method for the “Happy Children in Paradise” program to lure more children and families into the Commonwealth, especially during the summertime.

The Department of Labor and Immigration warned Friday that strong legal actions will be meted against individuals who would wittingly submit sham employment contracts. This, as the DOLI imposed sanctions on an employer and a supposed employee for allegedly conspiring with each other in submitting a fake employment contract to secure a work permit that would legalize the former nonresident worker’s stay in the Commonwealth. Labor hearing officer Jerry Cody said the administrative order he released should serve as a deterrent to aliens who intend to legalize their stay in the CNMI by having the department approve a fake employment contract and issue a work permit to a supposed nonresident worker.

DLNR touts local agricultural products[/B]

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources yesterday requested the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association to patronize local agricultural produce. In separate letters, DLNR Secretary Tom Pangelinan asked HANMI and SGMA representatives to visit the Sabalu Market, a regular Saturday event showcasing local agricultural produce and livestock. Sabalu Market runs from 6am to 12 noon. “Our Saipan farmers have an ample supply of freshly grown local produce (vegetables, fruit and flowers). In fact, many of our farmers are producing much more than they can currently sell,” Pangelinan said.

The Programs and Legislative Review Office reported six bills pending executive action, which include a few appropriation measures whose deadlines for action are due this month. Among the legislative measures on Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s desk are House Bill 13-205 or the proposed $5 million loan for the construction of the Tinian Civic Center and House Local Bill 13-6 or the $25,000-financing for the improvement of several public facilities. The local bill, authored by Rep. William S. Torres, also proposes to name the public buildings after prominent local figures. The last day for action on HB 13-205, introduced by Tinian congressman Norman Palacios, is on June 29 while HB 13-6’s deadline is on Monday, June 23.

House changes land compensation priority[/B]

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that amends the land compensation priority list. In a session Friday, the lower chamber passed House Bill 14-20, which provides that “the compensation of private lands taken by the government be prioritized based on the dates when they were taken.” Currently, the Land Compensation Act prioritizes the payment of lands acquired for right-of-way purposes, then the lands taken for ponding basins, and lastly wetlands. In a committee report, the House said the current priority list “is problematic because under the existing regulations, ponding basins are required to be constructed as part of road construction.”

The Commonwealth Ports Authority assured that non-harbor revenue generation would increase and other services would be forthcoming once the Saipan Seaport is approved to use public lands adjacent to the harbor. CPA executive director Carlos H. Salas is hopeful that House Bill 14-16 or the Port of Saipan Expansion and Development Act of 2004, which recently passed the 14th House of Representative, would also get the nod of the Senate. “We are looking forward to getting the land. This is part of the CPA’s plan to increase non-harbor revenue sources,” said the executive director.