Flashback Mar. 12, 1999-2002

Pay unsettles PSS teachers[/B]

The June 18 pay deadline of the Public School System continues to raise concerns from teachers who are counting to receive a total of 26 pay periods in a year. According to teacher representative David Borja, rumors are circulating in schools about the payless payday after June 18 this year during the Board of Education meeting yesterday. Based on the school calendar approved by the Board of Education, teacher will work for a total of 190 days and will receive compensation according to academic background and work experience for 26 pay periods. “Teachers at various school locations are being informed that they will not be paid beyond June 18, 1999. What does this mean?” he asked the Board.
[B] CNMI to raise flights woes at APIL gab[/B]

Local lawmakers were expected to voice out grievances against the reduction of direct air service to Saipan and urge other international carriers to bring in more tourists to the island during a two-day conference on regional transportation which began on Guam yesterday. Rep. David M. Apatang, chair of the House committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications, said the meeting organized by the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures would discuss problems facing the region in terms of air service. “We want to get some ideas as to what we can do to attract airlines to the Micronesian region,” he said in an interview before departing for Guam, along with other members of the CNMI Legislature.

CPA pledges to help block entry of drugs[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed plans to work closely with the Division of Customs to bar entry of illegal drugs particularly ice amid reports of CNMI being used by drug syndicates as transit point. Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said efforts have been stepped up to determine ways that would facilitate arrest of the entry of illegal drugs into the Northern Marianas. Although drug detection and confiscation operations are handled by Customs Division, CPA said it will join hands with the agency to map out an effective plan against entry of prohibited substances into the islands.
[B] Senate OKs measure to bring OPM back to CSC[/B]

The Senate unanimously voted to repeal Sections 214 and 509 of Executive Order 94-3 bringing the Office of Personal Management under the scope of the Civil Service Commission. According to the legislature, the repeals were necessary in order to bring back and reestablish a non-partisan and independent civil service system as required by Article XX of the Commonwealth Constitution. Thus, the laws affected by Sections 214 and 509 of Executive Order 94-3, were thereby reenacted and restored. Employees of the two government agencies need not fret, however, as their integration would not result in any displacements.

Rota mayor seeks aid of US officials on airport project[/B]

Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona urged federal officials to extend necessary assistance for the rapid completion of the Rota airport improvement project, which is seen to alleviate the economic situation of the island. Citing economic growth and a potential contributing partner of the Commonwealth, Manglona provided US Rep. Mike Scanlon and US Department of Transportation Airports District Officer Daniel S. Matsumoto a draft copy of the Rota International Airport Runway Extension analysis. Without the airport extension project, he said Rota would forever be dependent on subsidy from the government and would aggravate the financial burden of the CNMI economy.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has sought the assistance of the Office of Personnel Management to resolve issues involving several ports employees who are employed and performing unrelated positions. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas asked OPM Acting Personnel Officer Mathilde A. Rosario to provide them personnel rules and regulations with regard to treatment of employees who no longer perform their approved role as originally assigned. Salas said several ports employees, particularly those who were hired as controllers for the Saipan Air Traffic Control Tower, are employed under different positions but performing another tasks.