Flashback — Nov. 2000-Nov. 2001

BTC joins campaign against drunk driving[/B]

The Department of Commerce’s Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control Division is joining heightened government campaign against drunk driving through a series of classes aimed at educating establishments about serving liquor responsibly. In an interview, ABTC Director Andrew Salas emphasized the need to safeguard Northern Marianas streets against drunk drivers especially during the holidays when alcoholic beverages are a usual part of the celebration. Mr. Salas said ABTC is holding the 3D classes both on Saipan and on Rota to increase awareness among restaurant and bar managers, bartenders and wait staff on the responsible serving of alcoholic beverages in order to minimize alcohol-related road accidents.

Northern Marianas College students were advised yesterday to depart from typical habits of procrastination in the completion of their scholarship applications in efforts to foster a speedy and orderly financial aid system that has provided thousands of students opportunities to survive the high costs of American postsecondary education. CNMI Scholarship Office Administrator Hilaria K. Santos and NMC Financial Aid Director Ramon Basa prodded students to be mindful of deadlines in the submission of scholarship requirements. While Ms. Santos acknowledged the students’ seeming need to secure their tuition checks on time, the administrator stressed that the students’ full cooperation is also necessary to expedite the application process.

Transition budget hangs on Senate’s action[/B]

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial yesterday clarified that, contrary to previous reports, it is the Senate that has to act on the budget for the Transition Committee and not the House of Representatives. Fitial told reporters that the money to be appropriated for the transition and inaugural activities should be treated as part of the Fiscal Year 2002 budget and any changes on that budget should be done at the Senate. The $206.97 million budget measure for Fiscal Year 2002 is now with the Senate after the House of Representatives passed the bill on October 29. Since then, House Bill 12-423 has been pending at the upper chamber.

The Department of Public Safety and the private sector have forged anew a partnership, created to ensure the community’s safety during the holiday season. Together, the agencies have formed a special group—the 3D Committee—tasked to promote against drunk and drugged driving. The committee comprised of the police department, the Pacific Trading and the Pacific Development Inc. are set to ensure that next month’s yuletide and year-end celebrations do not result into fatalities. “We have seen an increase of private sector participation in the battle against impaired driving in the past two years. And we still welcome more volunteers from the community,” said Police Major Clyde Norita.
[B] Nov. 30, 2002

Firm cited for illegal construction[/B]

The Coastal Resources Management Office sanctioned a private company yesterday for constructing three buildings within its compound without securing the necessary permit. CRMO enforcement section chief Martin Cabrera said his men discovered the illegal activity upon inspecting the premises of the Rifu Apparel Corp. in As Lito. The company was directed to pay a $10,000-fine and to submit the necessary permit application with the CRMO, Cabrera said. In the meantime, the environmental agency directed that the building construction be stopped.

The Commonwealth Development Authority has approved the release of several Microloan packages worth more than $378,000 at the end of financial year 2001, in line with its effort to help small businesses weather the hard economic times. The Microloan Program, which is implemented in the Northern Marianas in partnership with the Guam-based United States Small Business Administration, cushions the suspension of the CDA’s direct loan program. MaryLou S. Ada, CDA executive director, previously said the Microloan Program targets new and existing businesses that are in need of fresh money as startup capital or for expansion.