Flashback – May 28, 1999-2002

[B][U]May 28, 1999[/U][/B] [B]Teno seeks review of housing allowance[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday asked the Legislature to review existing rental rates of private properties in order to establish the base for housing allowance that will be granted to government employees receiving such benefit. According to the governor, since last year his administration has been considering reducing the housing allowance for off-island hires because of budgetary constraints confronting the government. CNMI has chose to provide some government employees the cash equivalent of such perks because most of its properties are dilapidated and in poor condition. Refurbishing these buildings, however, would cost the financially-troubled island government more, Tenorio explained.

[B]CPA weighs Tinian Shipping plea for tax cut[/B]

Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas yesterday assured Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Ltd., board chairman Michael Kwan that CPA will review a request to lower passenger fees to assist one of its subsidiaries — the financially beleaguered Tinian Shipping. The Seaport Facilities Committee was tasked to review the financial records of Tinian Shipping so that it can make the necessary recommendations to the board. Salas said Tinian Dynasty will be notified within two weeks on the board’s decision. Tinian Shipping has asked a reduction of the passenger head tax from $3.75 to $1 for the company staff for two years.

[B][U]May 28, 2001[/U][/B] [B]April seaport earnings lowest in FY01[/B]

The seemingly overcast state of collections at the Customs Division turned even dimmer as the Seaport Branch last month recorded its lowest total for the financial year 2001. April, the seventh month of the fiscal year, saw seaport earnings plunge to only $1.4 million. The figure is $233,322 less than collections the previous month of March, which stood at more than $1.6 million. Although, Customs Division Director Jose C. Mafnas noted that a month-by-month comparison is not an accurate measure of how collections are fairing, there is no denying that April 2001’s revenue from seaport dues was the lowest in the current fiscal year.

[B]GDDC deplores funding woes[/B]

The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities disclosed that lack of funding for regular State Plan Medicaid services affected major services for individuals with disabilities. In fact, territories are not allowed to apply for community waivers because of the Medicaid cap. In a resolution released by the Council, the agency adopted the Policy Brief on Family support for the United States territories developed by the National Center for Family support and the United States Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

[B][U]May 28, 2002[/U][/B] [B]$39K mulled for emergency systems[/B]

A measure that would earmark $39,317 from the CNMI Ambulance Fee Act of 2000 to buy emergency medical supplies and the repair and maintenance of ambulances and fire emergency vehicles takes a step closer to being passed after it hurdled final reading in the Senate last week. House Bill 13-3, which was authored by House Floor leader Jesus T. Attao now goes before Gov. Juan N. Babauta for consideration and passage. The measure primarily aims to fulfill the mandate and intent of Public Law 12-6, which created a specific fee that would go toward the upkeep and maintenance of emergency systems in the Commonwealth, such as the ambulance service and the fire emergency service.

[B]Outbound traffic shrinks 13 percent[/B]

The number of outbound passengers dropped 13 percent last month to 38,596 from 43,945 in April 2001, reflecting a significant slowdown in air transport traffic, a report obtained from the Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed. CPA board chair Roman S. Palacios said a variety of factors contributed to the declining trend in passenger haul, citing economic and financial concerns as the primary reason. Palacios said an increasing number of Saipan residents and guest workers have temporarily suspended travel plans due to persistent job worries brought about by gloomy economic picture. He said the ports authority has recorded a declining trend in the number of outbound passengers since the beginning of the current financial year, with October 2001 figures reaching only 27,094, which is about 41 percent lower than the previous year of the same month’s tally.