FLASHBACK -Apr. 12, 2012

MVA to support CPA in campaign[/B]

Marianas Visitors Authority board chairman Dave M. Sablan has pledged to assist the Commonwealth Ports Authority in enticing cruise vessels to bring in tourists to the CNMI. Sablan said he will meet with various travel wholesalers in Japan to sell the Northern Marianas as a destination for Japanese travelers who prefer to go on a cruise. Since Japan is encouraging school children to travel abroad, Sablan said tapping this huge market would greatly help the ailing tourism economy.

The Public School System will use the procurement rule of the CNMI Code to govern employee’s conduct after the Board of Education repealed its liability policy, which was considered by many as harsh. According to PSS legal counsel Tim Connor, because of the strict language used in the Board policy, PSS employees refused to sign documents and paralyzed the procurement process. The policy makes an employee liable for violating the procurement procedure and does not give room for escape even if they acted in good faith.

House to revive discussion on school voucher[/B]

The House of Representatives is likely to revive discussion on the school voucher or choice program after the initial proposal more than four years ago drew strong opposition from the Board of Education. Rep. Brigida Ichihara, chair of the Education Committee, said yesterday she will meet with educators and representatives of the community to feel the public pulse on instituting the program as part of school reforms in the CNMI. On a visit to Washington D.C., the lawmaker, along with the rest of the nine House members, met yesterday with think-tankers from the Institute for Justice on education reforms.

With the rich natural resources of the Northern Islands, the CNMI government should consider carrying out infrastructure development on the chain of remote volcanic islands when the residents are finally allowed to go back so that the people are given the chance to earn income aside from subsistence fishing and farming. A simple resort development which will allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the island will favor ecotourism enthusiast who would love adventure trips, fishing and scuba diving, said Lynn Knight, president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Knight said the people of the Northern Islands should be supported in their request to grant them homesteads in the place they consider home as well as help them make a living once they are allowed to go back.

CUC: Works on 25 OPA reports ongoing[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is yet to submit sets of regulating guidelines for the accurate operation of the public firm as auditing of questionable dealings continue. To date, at least 25 cases remain open including unliquidated advances of CUC employees and implementing guidelines for the regulation of official representation. Based on the Office of Public Auditor’s Report on Agencies’ Implementation of Audit Recommendations, the utility corporation is yet to provide the OPA a copy of regulations on proper monitoring of advances and business entertainment expenses. On OPA’s Independent Auditor’s Report on Internal Control and on Compliance Over Financial Reporting Based Upon the Audit Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards, at least 24 cases remain delinquent with recommendations yet to be submitted.

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday advised the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to comply with the provisions of the Energy Sufficiency Act of 2000 by passing on the contract for Saipan’s 60-megawatt power plant to the next lowest and responsible bidder. Mr. Tenorio apparently balks initial plans made by some CUC officials to solicit new sets of bids for the multi-million-dollar project, which has been in the offing for several years now. The governor pointed out that Public Law 12-1 contains blanker provisions that encompass the entire project, including total cost, procurement and awarding of the contract which was not limited to Enron.