Flashback — May 2000-May 2002

CPA takes over abandoned sea vessel
[/B] The Commonwealth Ports Authority has taken over MV Celeste after its owner failed to remove the abandoned sea vessel from the Rota West Harbor during the weekend, Board Chair Roman S. Palacios disclosed yesterday. CPA, through the Rota seaport superintendent, served MV Celeste owner Angyuta Shipping Co. Ltd. an emergency order to immediately transfer the vessel to the San Jose harbor on Tinian due to the danger it posed to the dock and the sea transport facility in the island. Mr. Palacios noted the potential risks that may be caused by the unmanned vessel to the island’s sea transport facility that may be aggravated by an extremely harsh weather.

The House of Representatives has junked a proposal to impose monthly surcharge fees for users of both landline and cellular telephone services in the CNMI in order to fund 911 emergency operations on the island. Offered by Rep. David M. Apatang, the measure fails to address the procedures on how such fees would be implemented and their impact on the government which is also phone subscriber and at the same time owner of the 911 system, according to a report prepared by the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications. The panel, which is chaired by Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho, is in fact currently reviewing a similar proposal which is “more detailed and adequate” than the provisions of HB 12-9.

CUC to install wastewater system along Middle Rd.[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Commission’s pledge to build an efficient wastewater network in the Northern Marianas took another step toward fruition yesterday. This, after the utility firm unveiled a plan to install a new line of wastewater collection services costing $865,000 along Middle Road. The new line will eventually link to an existing system in nearby San Jose village. “Within six months, a new collection pipeline will connect portions of San Jose village, that already has wastewater services, to the rest of the Middle Road wastewater system,” CUC said in a media statement.

The Northern Islands Mayor’s Office yesterday sought the assistance of the Commonwealth Ports Authority in putting forward the proposed development of the four islands north of Saipan through the construction of reliable transportation facilities. Northern Islands Mayor Joseph T. Ogumoro met yesterday with CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios, Executive Director Carlos H. Salas and board member Frank Guerrero to discuss NIMO’s long-term plan to develop Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrigan. Mr. Ogumoro’s office recently came up with an economic blueprint for the islands of Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan expected to pave the road for the smooth resettlement of displaced Northern Islands residents.

Housing loans now open to veterans[/B]

In the run-up to Memorial Day, the Veterans Administration in Honolulu, Hawaii is highlighting a housing loan program that Chamorro- or Carolinian-descent veterans can avail of, to a maximum of $120,000 for a term of 30 years. This comes soon after a recent visit to the Commonwealth by loan specialist Gaylene Matsuura of the Veterans Administration in Honolulu, Hawaii, in efforts to make the program more visible to the islands’ veterans. Rep. William S. Torres said Matsuura met with the housing specialist Melvin Sablan and newly appointed Special Assistant for Veterans Administration Frank Cepeda to discuss how to better make the loan program more accessible to CNMI veterans.

The Federal Aviation Administration assured the Rota government of its full support to see the Rota International Airport Runway Extension program to its completion. FAA Airports District Office Manager Ronnie V. Simpson said that upon completion of the recommended development of the environmental assessment and the update on the Rota Airport Master Plan, the agency would be able to financially support the program. “Upon completion, the FAA will then be able to financially support the recommended development subject to the availability of federal funds,” said Simpson.