Flashback April 2, 2002-2004

April 2, 2002

CPA funding sought in waste diversion

The Solid Waste Task Force is seeking the funding assistance of the Commonwealth Ports Authority for the pilot operation of the recycling facility that would divert garment waste from the Puerto Rico dumpsite. Aside from the CPA, the task force is also seeking the assistance of four other shipping companies who are asked to ship out of the Northern Marianas. Solid Waste Task Force Chair and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, in a proposal submitted to the ports authority, said the recycling pilot project for diversion of garment waste will include garment scraps but entails substantial amount of operation.

Chamber underscores environmental protection

As a main tourist destination, the CNMI is visited by many nationalities from countries such as Japan, Korea, Australia, and Russia, to name a few. Because of this, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce finds it is extremely important for the CNMI to do all that it can to keep the islands clean, fostering a healthy and viable tourist industry, as well as provide benefits for residents and nonresidents alike. The Chamber is encouraging the community to take pride in their business and home environment by pitching in to keep the islands clean by: Planting trees and flowers i.e. creative landscaping. You may call the Division of Forestry in Kagman to inquire about the flora that they can distribute for planting, as well as tips on proper planting and caring.

April 2, 2003

Solution eyed in settling PSS’ old travel accounts

The Public School System plans to set up an allowance or reserve for auditing purposes in connection with its long-outstanding travel accounts. PSS finance director Richard Waldo said this proposed system would apply to old or disputed travel advances that remain on the PSS’ books. “For any doubtful travel vouchers not collected, we’d set up an allowance to satisfy the external auditor,” he said yesterday. He said the process involves the journal entry concept, which has already been used by the Department of Finance.

Babauta vetoes bill appropriating $12.5M for Saipan prison project

Gov. Juan N. Babauta has vetoed the bill that would have appropriated $2.5 million for the CNMI’s adult prison project, saying that House Bill 13-252 fails to provide a comprehensive funding plan for the prison project. In a transmittal letter to legislative leaders, Babauta said that the $2.5 million would not be enough to finish the project and that additional funds have to be found soon. The Governor cited records showing that the prison project has an unfunded liability of $10.5 million. Quoting from the contractor’s payment schedule, Babauta said that available funds for the project will be expended within a matter of weeks and the infusion of $2.5 million under the bill would only carry the project through July.

April 2, 2004

Governor: No quitting on NMC’s La Fiesta

In an apparent show of resolve to push for La Fiesta’s Pacific Gateway project, Gov. Juan N. Babauta held yesterday a college proclamation signing at the controversial facility in San Roque, and clearly delivered his message: We will not quit. The governor, who proclaimed April as NMC week yesterday, began his remarks by saying that NMC, which currently faces severe financial difficulty-a situation that prompted it to slow down the project and to consider shutting down the facility-has never been a quitter. “NMC is not a quitter. When NMC was founded in 1981, most people opposed it. Many dared to ask, ‘Why do we need a college? We can always go off-island”. Despite all that opposition, though, NMC did not quit,” he said. In the 1990’s, he said, NMC dealt with oversight hearings, protests, and a change in leadership, “but NMC did not quit.”

Torres: Start work on airport road project

Affected residents are urging the Department of Public Works to urgently implement the Airport Road improvement project, noting the worsened condition of potholes that have made the road unsafe to motorists. Former Attorney General Robert Torres aired this concern, saying that failure to address the potholes and bumps would be irresponsible. This, even as the DPW had reprogrammed Federal Highway Administration funds originally intended for the Airport Road project to the improvement of the Cross-Island Road.