FLASHBACK – Jun. 9, 2012

‘Ice’: a worsening problem in the CNMI[/B]

The proliferation of illegal substance like methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known on streets as “ice”, is fast becoming a major threat to the Northern Marianas, according to an anti-prohibited drug advocate who recently completed a six-day presentation in Palau and the Federates States of Micronesia. Narcotics investigator Lt. Ismael Aguon disclosed the wide-spread sale of illegal substances like “ice” on the islands has worsened due to the reported increasing number of sources. Prohibited drugs like “ice” were once popularly routed directly or indirectly from the Philippines only but has now been imported from other countries like the mainland China and Taiwan, said Lt. Aguon, who has been a drug awareness presenter for close to 10 years now.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is beginning to show indications of resiliency with current level of aviation revenues empowering the agency’s ability to comply with the requirements of the $20 million airport bond indenture. CPA records showed revenues generated by the agency’s airport operations during the month ending April 2000 exceeded the required debt coverage ratio of 125 percent by 309 percent, after several months of falling short to meeting the requirement. During the period under review, CPA’s airport division bagged $1.042 million in total operating revenues which registered a 12 percent improvement from the previous year of the same month’s figures recorded at $927,441.

CDC: Stricter SARS inspection at NMI seaports[/B]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants stricter implementation of measures at all CNMI seaports against the possible entry of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus. Visiting CDC deputy chief for health studies Dennis J. Christianson said in a news briefing that he would be working with local authorities in securing all ports in efforts to prevent translocation of the dreaded virus. “I’m here to help in any way I can. The CNMI has been doing great [in terms of SARS monitoring and surveillance],” he said, noting that during his month-long stay in the CNMI, he would work closely with seaport authorities, through the U.S. Coast Guard, in monitoring all ships or sea vessels visiting the local ports.

The push to increase the minimum wage in the CNMI is propelled not so much by any utopian goal of alleviating the welfare of workers but because of powerful forces within the garment industry in the U.S. mainland that want to wipe out the remaining competitive advantage that local apparel manufacturers enjoy, which is its ability to offer garment products at a lower cost. Economist Dr. Muhammad Ashraf pointed this out, saying that, by increasing the local minimum wage here, it will be the U.S. mainland garment manufacturers who will actually benefit since the garment makers here in the CNMI will be forced to sell their products to mainland buyers at a higher price. At the moment, U.S.-based garment manufacturers are at a competitive disadvantage since they pay higher minimum wages, which means any product they sell will be sold at higher prices.

Peterson resigns as House counsel[/B]

House of Representatives legal counsel Murphy Peterson resigned from his post effective yesterday. “Over the course of the five years that I have served as a government attorney I have greatly enjoyed being able to contribute to the welfare of the community for which I have served and now consider my home,” said Peterson. He did not cite the reason of leaving. Some staff said, though, he may depart the island for good.

The House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill authorizing employers to withhold income of certain employees for child support purposes. The passage prompted applause from women representatives present in yesterday’s House session. House Bill 14-22, introduced by Reps. Norman Palacios and Benjamin Seman, aims “to authorize the withholding of income derived in the Commonwealth to enforce support orders, to make all missed support payments, automatic judgments, and to provide for mandatory medical support,” among others.