Flashback April 26, 2000-2002

Public backs 10 percent budget increase for PSS[/B]

The public yesterday expressed support to the Legislature’s proposed initiative to increase 10 percent the Public School’s System’s yearly appropriation from its current 15 percent share in the CNMI government’s budget. At a public hearing by the House Committee on Education yesterday, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos offered her support for the legislation. She cited that increased revenues for PSS would enable it to better achieve its goals and missions as established by law. Board of Education Vice Chair Roman C. Benavente, speaking on speaking on behalf of BOE Chair Frances H. Diaz, also expressed support for the initiative.

Board of Education Vice Chair Roman C. Benavente yesterday shared sentiments on what he perceived as a reason why many education programs in the CNMI, as well as in the states, continue to be underfunded. Mr. Benavente said the lack of funding on education initiatives remain due to the fact that majority of the Commonwealth’s leaders enroll their children in private schools. “Let’s face facts. . .The [leaders’] basic interest is not there,” said Mr. Benavente. As a result, prominent leaders tend to develop a sense of ownership for the institution by which they placed their long-term investment on, according to him.

Aircon woes sending students out of school[/B]

Instead of cool air comforting students inside their classrooms at Kagman Elementary School, the facilities’ airconditioning units have been spewing out fiberglass particles and dust. This despite the school replacing the 150 or so airconditioning system filters and repairing fiberglass insulation that had peeled away, which were recommended a month ago and were expected to alleviate the problem. The school’s principal, Ignacia Demapan, revealed that since the airconditioning woes started, the school has experienced constant absenteeism of students due to illness. She also said that a number of children have also complained of headaches, dizziness, eyes hurting, skin itchiness and shortness of breath.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority expressed hopes Mandarin Airlines will resume its Saipan-Taipei air transport services after the scheduled three-month suspension. Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said CPA is confident Mandarin Air will stand firm on its pledge to resume the aborted Saipan-Taipei flights after it completed aircraft maintenance procedures. Mr. Salas made this statement despite the absence of any official confirmation from the Taipei-based airline company regarding previous plans to resume CNMI operations by June, when the three-month flight suspension expires.

Government steps up anti-crime efforts[/B]

The executive branch has offered to sit with crime-solving agents every week in May to tackle solutions pertaining to the Commonwealth’s disturbing crime rate, the Department of Public Safety disclosed yesterday. DPS spokesperson Lt. Pete C. Muña said that Governor’s Office has made arrangements with some police investigators to discuss crime-solving, as part of the administration’s efforts to support Police Month, celebrated in May. He [the governor] would like to meet with them every Friday in the month of May to discuss about that. Maybe talk to the public about it. He wants to get involved in asking the public for assistance to solve these crimes, said Muña.

A manpower company owner who fled Saipan and settled on Guam was permanently barred by the Department of Labor and Immigration from hiring nonresident workers, after ignoring administrative proceedings at the department. Administrative hearing officer Vicente C. Seman ruled against Frank P. Sablan of As Teo, owner of the Christopher Enterprises. The complainant, Filipina worker Carina C. Pagtalunan, was granted transfer relief, allowing her to work for a new employer. “The respondent [Sablan] had moved to Guam and had detached himself from any responsibility from the complainant for whom he had contractual and statutory responsibility,” Seman said. Despite this, the Division of Labor served Sablan with a notice of appearance for investigation. The division was also demanding from Sablan employment documents of Pagtalunan.