FLASHBACK – September 12, 2011

CUC begins probe of ‘411’ charges by MTC[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has begun its inquiry into the “411” charges implemented by Micronesian Telecommunication Corporation following what it said as mounting complaints from customers. Frank T. Flores, chair of CUC board’s telecommunications committee, asked MTC to provide the panel corporate reports, financial statements and analysis on the operation of the directory assistance. In a letter to MTC General Manager David M. Rogers, he said the move is part of the regulatory functions by the government-owned utility corporation over the telecom industry as provided under the law.

The CNMI Department of Public Health is exploring the possibility of entering into an agreement with Hawaii Department of Public Health to allow the Northern Marianas avail of the services of the forensic psychiatrist there as well as send patients to their facility. DPH Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said the Northern Marianas cannot afford to hire a forensic psychiatrist but forging an agreement with the State of Hawaii may help resolve the difficult situation. “We are currently discussing the issue of getting their forensic psychiatrist to assist us or maybe use their facility. We hope to reach a decision and we are very optimistic on the outcome of these talks,” he said.

DLNR budget transferred to BPL[/B]

No, the budget for the Department of Lands and Natural Resources was not slashed. It was just transferred to the Board of Public Lands. So said a staff of Rep. Antonio M. Camacho yesterday, saying this was in accordance with Public Law 12-33. Camacho’s staff member, who requested that he be not identified, said that under Public 12-33, the Board of Public Land was placed as a single, independent agency, and no longer under the DLNR. He explained that, when the Office of the Governor submitted its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2000, the DLNR asked for $8.83 million, with $4.79 million going to the Board of Public Lands.

Experts from various government agencies and private organizations urged for the commission of a comprehensive study on the profile of suicide victims in the Northern Marianas. The study was pressed to identify the prevailing factors that drive an increasing number of the islands’ youths to taking their own lives. According to Ayuda Network, Inc. official Konrad Reyes, the string of suicide incidents reported in the CNMI during the past months show that the problem is not tied with someone’s financial or family background. Of the seven suicide cases reported in the CNMI in the past 14 days, at least half of the victims are considered to come from families with good financial background.

Atalig appeals for a quorum for MPLB[/B]

Rota Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig is seeking to fill three vacant Medical Profession Licensing Board member positions that have left what is now a two-member board without a quorum to process licensing applications. Atalig, in a letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, requested for a speedy executive action on the MPLB’s lack of quorum amid a pending license application by Dr. Larry B. Hocog, Rota’s resident health director whose license has already expired. The congressman stated that the service tenure of three out of five MLPB members have already lapsed, leaving only two members. In conducting official MPLB acts, at least three members are required to constitute a quorum.

CNMI Banking Director Fermin M. Atalig yesterday said that while the government was disappointed with the decision, it respects Judge Edward Manibusan’s order retaining Randall T. Fennell as Bank of Saipan receiver. Accordingly, Manibusan denied the motion to replace Fennell with Oscar C. Camacho, former CNMI banking director, to the BoS receivership. Although the banking director is disappointed with the outcome of the ruling regarding a substitute receiver, he is confident that Fennell will carry forward his mandate as receiver to make depositors whole. “The Commonwealth Government appreciates all the hard work that Mr. Fennell has done so far and is once again thankful for his continued service as temporary receiver until such time a replacement is appointed by the court,” Atalig said in his statement.