FLASHBACK – Apr. 6, 2012

Teno: Leave CIP plan intact[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has prodded lawmakers not to switch capital improvement projects listed under the Section 702 Covenant infrastructure program with other pet projects in order to maintain the integrity of the master plan drawn up by his administration. “As we continue to move projects efficiently and progressively throughout this fiscal year, I ask for your continued commitment in maintaining the integrity of our CIP Projects Plan,” he said in a letter to presiding officers of the Legislature. “Any unconsidered changes would compromise the integrity of the CIP Plan and the effective application of our limited resources to the CNMI as a whole,” added the governor.

In fresh efforts to assist in the recovery of the islands’ travel sector, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is taking aggressive steps to fast-track the provision of flight services by China Eastern Airlines between Shanghai and Saipan. In a letter to George Wellington, chief of the foreign carrier licensing division of the United States Department of Transportation, CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said air transportation service to Saipan has dwindled due to the reduction of direct flights from international destinations. Mr. Salas underscored the need to fast-track the realization of China Eastern’s proposed direct regular flights between Shanghai and Saipan since CNMI’s economy is heavily dependent on the tourism industry.

CPA probe on jet fuel leak nears completion[/B]

Reflecting its strong commitment to environmental protection, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is drawing near to the completion of its investigation on the jet fuel leak at the Saipan International Airport. CPA said Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting, which it contracted to conduct investigation and remediation works, is about 75 percent finished with the investigative phase of the project. APEC has started the remediation phase, which consists of construction of Soil Vapor Extraction system to remove jet fuel vapors, according to the ports authority.

The continued refusal of ranchers to vacate identified areas designated for the proposed Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank hampers the implementation of significant projects in the Commonwealth. Aside from developmental projects, the CNMI continues to hold off on the signing of the mitigation agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a contract which has been in the can for more than three years now. But Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Joaquin Tenorio remains hopeful current problems surrounding the project will be resolved in due time despite criticisms hurled by the Legislature that nothing has been done to address existing concerns.

Bill seeks to regulate ‘shobais'[/B]

Rep. Arnold I. Palacios introduced Thursday legislation that intends to regulate “shobais” or freelance commercial activities that have emerged as a nuisance to tourists. The bill, dubbed the Beachside Revitalization Act of 2003, is in response to concerns that the shobai phenomenon has been steadily increasing in number, particularly on Saipan beachfronts. The Marianas Visitors Authority, in a recent meeting with House members, confirmed that shobai activities have existed for many years, adding that there is an inverse proportion to the CNMI tourist arrival figures versus the number of beachside concessionaires that have surfaced.

Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio donated 15 lapel pins bearing the CNMI and U.S. Flags to the CNMI Mock Trial Team represented by Tinian High School. The 20th National High Schools Mock Trial Championship will be held from May 8-10, 2003 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditionally, pins bearing state flags are traded among students, and this is the very first year that the CNMI Mock Trial Team will be equipped with lapel pins for the traditional exchange. “I am very proud of the determination of our students from Tinian, who once again have won the CNMI-wide Mock Trial Competition, and who would represent the CNMI with pride in the national competition,” Tenorio said.