Flashback – October 12, 1999-2001

[B][U]Oct. 12, 1999[/U][/B] [B]Fed’s help sought in probe of consumer prices[/B]

Unfazed by difficulties in probing the alleged high consumer prices in the CNMI, Rep. Melvin O. Faisao has asked the involvement of the Federal Maritime Commission to determine whether shipping rates have dictated retail value of imported goods sold in local stores. In a letter to Harold J. Creed, commission chairman, the representative said information on the tariff charges imposed on ships plying the U.S.-CNMI route would help the government in the ongoing investigation. According to Faisao, questions such as whether the rates fall under international or interstate tariff charges or whether the CNMI is considered international destination and not domestic will need answers to assess their impact on consumer prices.

[B]No need to rush approval of 2000 budget[/B]

The government is running smoothly even without the timely approval of the proposed FY 2000 budget package which has faced difficulties in the Legislature following differences among members on how to distribute the meager resources. According to Speaker Diego T. Benavente, the House is not about to rush passage of the $206.7 million spending package as the continuing resolution based from FY 99 resources that was adopted early this month by the administration allots budget to departments and agencies. “We are still working on the budget. Whether we have a budget or the continuing resolution.

[B][U]Oct. 12, 2000[/U][/B] [B]CDA on right track in $60-M bond[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority and its mainland United States-based underwriters are on the right track in delaying the flotation of the $60 million municipal bond in anticipation of the seasonal drop in interest rates. Rep. William S. Torres expressed confidence CDA and its underwriters in San Francisco will be able to strike the best deal for the Commonwealth once the tax-free municipal bond is finally floated. “It’s just a matter of proper timing but I am sure it’s moving on the right direction. They are just waiting for the interest rates to fall because that would be more beneficial for the Northern Marianas,” said Mr. Torres.

[B]Tinian hosts education summit today[/B]

Tinian will host today an annual gathering of representatives from various community sectors in an education summit that will attempt to gauge over-all perceptions and expectations of the state of CNMI’s public education. The forum dubbed as “The Great Expectations” is anticipated to bring together over 200 participants to include parents, teachers, business leaders and other community members. Board of Education Chair Frances H. Diaz yesterday extended an invitation to the whole Tinian community to take part in one of the largest education dialogues scheduled for the year. “This would be the best opportunity for community members to air out their concerns as well as their expectations on what direction they want public education to take,” said Ms. Diaz.

[B][U]Oct. 12, 2001[/U][/B] [B]Social Security announces change in policy[/B]

The Social Security Administration has changed its policy with respect to the treatment of individuals who received benefits from the former Northern Mariana Islands Social Security System. The NMISSS was merged with the US Social Security on January 1, 1987. Since that time the continued entitlement of former NMISSS beneficiaries has been based on NMISSS law, even in cases where US Social Security rules were more advantageous. Social Security has now changed its position and will make entitlement determinations based on whichever rules are most advantageous.

[B]RP amends law on birth record changes[/B]

As provided under Republic Act No. 9048 authorizing change and amendment of entries of civil registry records, the Office of the Civil Registrar General, in consultation with other agencies of the Philippine government, promulgated implementing rules and regulations for the said law. Under Administrative law No. 1, Series of 2001, civil registrars, consuls general, including clerks of Shari’a Courts, may, in their official capacity, make corrections of typographical errors and to change first name or nicknames in the civil register. Clerical or typographical error refers to “a mistake committed in the performance of clerical work in writing, copying, transcribing or typing an entry in the civil register that is harmless and innocuous, such as misspelled name or misspelled place of birth, or the like, which is visible to the eyes, obvious to the understanding, and can be corrected only by reference to other existing records: Provided, however, that no correction must involve the change of nationality, age, status, or sex of the petitioner.”