FLASHBACK – Jun. 2, 2012

CDA funds MVA’s exit survey[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority has agreed to provide a $40,000 financial assistance to the Marianas Visitors Authority in conducting exit surveys that would aid the tourism office in effectively marketing the CNMI overseas. The Department of Commerce will help MVA in implementing the survey by hiring the right people who will carry out the interviews. Originally, the tourism office planned to conduct a quarterly exit survey to acquire a more consistent data. But with a small funding, it might only carry out two exit surveys for this year. Last year, when MVA conducted a similar survey among Japanese tourists, it had difficulty in hiring interviewers due to limited budget. This time, MVA hopes to make a profile of the Korean visitors, the second biggest market of the CNMI, since it would guide tourism officials in improving its market reach.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday asked the US military to consider the impact of its live bombing exercises at the Farallon De Mendinilla on the marine resources in the island, as more trainings have been scheduled by American troops. While the governor said he could not press Washington to discontinue such military exercises, he was hoping that the US “will be more seriously concerned about the environment.” Under the Covenant, US soldiers are allowed to use FDM as a military training ground to strengthen their air and naval bombing skills.

CDA, NMC join hands to facilitate growth in small business activities[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority and the Northern Marianas College have agreed to synthesize efforts in order to facilitate the growth of economic activities in the Northern Marianas through the increased participation of small businesses. Under the current setup, which is more of an informal partnership between the two agencies, NMC’s Small Business Development Center provides the necessary counseling and consultation for hopeful local entrepreneurs while CDA provides the needed capital to start up a business. Officials of the two agencies strengthened their partnership during a meeting yesterday with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio who declared June as the CNMI Small Business Development Month.

A planned class-action suit against federal officials and private companies responsible for the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in Tanapag has hit a snag as the CNMI government weighs whether or not to accept an offer from private lawyers to help in the litigation. A proposed contract drafted by the Texas-based lawyers for the legal action has been sitting with the Governor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office since their visit to Saipan early last month, according to House legal counsel Steve Mackenzie. “It’s up to the attorney general and the governor to determine whether to hire them or not,” he told reporters in an interview yesterday. “As far as I know no determination has been made…and I don’t know why.”

Federal funding sought for health initiative[/B]

The Babauta administration has asked for federal funding to finance the construction of more satellite health clinics on the island and to conduct a health needs assessment in the region. These, according to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, were the major issues that he raised during his conversation with visiting Health and Human Services regional director Dr. Josh Valdez last week. Valdez, who is the Health Secretary’s direct representative for guidance and coordination of policies in the region, met with Babauta and top CNMI health officials led by Department of Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider Wednesday.

The newly reopened Bank of Saipan expressed optimism about the revival of its checks’ local clearing capability very soon, describing the expected approval of other CNMI banks as mere formality. BoS accounting manager Ronald Flores said this Saturday, less than a week since the bank resumed normal operations Tuesday. Just like before, Flores said that other CNMI banks would recognize new BoS checks, which would bear the markings “Marianas Pride” and an identification code per check.