FLASHBACK – May 1, 2012

MTC begins charging 411 calls[/B]

Do you want to find out a certain phone number and can’t grab a directory? Think twice before dialing 411. Beginning today, the MTC, the lone domestic phone provider in the Northern Marianas, will charge callers of 411 a 25 cent toll fee after exhausting the three free calls allowed per month for the use of its directory assistance. The move is intended to discourage people from using the 411 to ask for phone numbers, which has cost MTC additional expenses for overtime pay for its operators who are using the 24-hour computer service put in place by the company.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation last Friday canceled at the last minute the next day’s scheduled power outage in several areas south of Saipan to prevent potential jailbreak in the Division of Corrections. The correctional facility apparently has yet to install a back-up electrical system in case of outages in CUC’s main power switch, thus affecting its operations in the event that the utility firm cuts supply to Chalan Kanoa and Susupe area. CUC earlier had scheduled a power outage for April 29, lasting between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. that would have hit the DOC in Susupe. This would have given way for its crews to undertake electrical improvements in the two adjacent villages.

House overrides Teno’s veto on sick leave bill[/B]

The House of Representatives yesterday underscored the need to establish a more realistic policy in the administration of sick leave bank as legislators moved to override Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s veto on the proposed amendments to Public Law 8-25. Thirteen of the 18 members of the House of Representatives voted for an override of the governor’s rejection of House Bill 12-147, which proposed to establish an independent Civil Service Commission. Of the 18 House members, 16 voted to establish a measure that would put additional 360 hours to the existing 160 hours of sick leave a government employee is entitled to receive.

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio has tossed back to the Legislature a proposed measure that sought to designate a section of the Tanapag lagoon as a permanent marine sanctuary. Mr. Tenorio said House Local Bill 12-27 contains several concerns that must be appropriately addressed before it could become law. This, as the governor stressed that he supports the protection, preservation and conservation of marine life. “In fact, I have signed numerous measures seeking to protect and preserve our natural resources including marine life.” Mr. Tenorio pointed out that mandatory importation of non-native species of marine life from outside of the Commonwealth raises a concern.

Street naming project gets $62K[/B]

The Street Naming Project for Saipan got a much-needed boost, after Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed into law a bill reallocating $62,000 for the second phase of the project. Just before leaving on a trip to South Korea to promote the Commonwealth as a tourism destination, Babauta inked House Bill 13-67, which reallocates the unspent money that was originally appropriated under Public Law 11-83. That appropriation law was for the A&E Construction of the Hemodialysis Building Center and its collateral equipment. The unexpended balance, amounting to $62,000, will now be re-channeled to supplement prior appropriations for Phase II of the Saipan Street Naming and Property Number Project.

A financial group will hold discussion with the Commonwealth Ports Authority to tackle potential funding opportunities for airport and seaport operations in the Northern Marianas. Guam-based Public Finance Associates and Financial Solutions Group officials scheduled a round table discussion with CPA officials to present a variety of options, which may be useful to the ports authority. “The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential funding opportunities and present to CPA officials a variety of options which are useful in the agency’s plan to improve its revenue stream or reduce its current debt service payment obligations,” said FSG Vice President Joe Morcilla.