FLASHBACK – November 5, 2011

DPH assures preparedness against anthrax[/B]

The supply of anthrax medication in the CNMI may be limited in case of a bioterrorist scenario, but the Department of Public Health said it has access to federal pharmaceutical stockpile. Public Health Medical Director Richard Brostrom said that the department, through secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, has established a relationship with the federal government to make sure that its supply of medicine is accessible once an anthrax epidemic occurs. “We have sufficient stockpile to treat around a hundred people for a total of 60 days, but the truth is that we would have access to the national pharmaceutical stockpile,” Brostrom said.

Superior Court Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama has recused himself from the pending legal battle between the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and the Commonwealth Development Authority. Lizama’s recusal also came with a decision vacating a September 6, 2001 order granting the plaintiff, CDA, a cross-motion for summary judgment. In a decision entered last week, Lizama cited a CNMI law stating that “whenever a judge of the Commonwealth believes that there are grounds for his disqualification, he shall, on his own initiative, recuse himself and enter a written order of recusal in the record of the proceeding.”

NMI lawmakers root for GOP in US polls[/B]

Members of the Republican-controlled CNMI Legislature have made it a point to brush up on the latest developments in the tight races for 435 U.S. House, 34 Senate and 36 governorship seats, in anticipation of the U.S. mid-term elections outcome that local leaders believe greatly affects the CNMI’s fate. Senate President Paul A. Mangloña, for one, is hoping for results that would have a positive impact on the Commonwealth: a Republican-rule in both the U.S. House and Senate. “What happens thousands of miles away will affect us. From immigration control, government improvement, to talks on Sections 702 and 706 of the Covenant, and so on-all these hinge on what kind of support we can get from the U.S. Congress,” Mangloña said in an interview yesterday.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday disclosed that the temporary agreement reached between West Coast workers and shipping companies also tentatively relieved other countries and territories, such as the CNMI, of further delay in the arrival of shipments from the mainland U.S. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said that, with the tentative resolution reached Friday, shipments that were put on hold at West Coast ports will be slowly back on track. “Backlogs will now be taken cared of. Cargo-wise, inbound shipment would be arriving from time to time,” said Salas in an interview. He added that agricultural produce will be slowly shipped in to the Northern Marianas, erasing fears raised by hotel and restaurant operators of a possible shortage in farm products and livestock.

Governor to attend Micronesian summit[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta is expected to leave for Palau this afternoon to attend the Western Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit, press secretary Peter A. Callaghan said. The summit is a follow up to the same gathering held earlier this year when chief executives of Guam, Palau, Yap and the CNMI each pledged commitment to take the lead in pursuing regional issues. The CNMI had been chosen to spearhead efforts toward improving the region’s air transportation and healthcare services. As the “Focus State” of such initiatives, the CNMI was supposed to complete a survey comparing the state of the region’s air transportation and healthcare situations.

The Department of Public Safety is soliciting the support of private and government offices to effectively carry out the anti-drunk and drugged driving campaign this year, in an effort to minimize-if not completely prevent-road accidents during the holiday season. Capt. Pete Muna, program chair of this year’s 3D, said that there is an ongoing discussion between the DPS-3D Program and different agencies on Saipan, including nongovernmental agencies and private establishments, to spread the word about the program, which will be implemented beginning December 2003 until January next year.