FLASHBACK – Feb. 4, 2012

Feb. 4, 1999

Services fees are mandated, RP Consulate

The various fees being charged by the Philippine Consulate here are mandated and are uniformly applied in all consular posts, according to Vice Consul Ronell Santos. “We do not unilaterally impose the fees. They are mandated and we just follow the prescribed fees,” he said. He responded to complaints aired by Filipinos in the CNMI over the fees charged on authentication, certificates and other official documentation emanating from the Consulate. According to Santos, the Consulate performs different functions and for each service there is a corresponding prescribed fee.

SGMA, Liz Claiborne reach agreement

Agreements were reached to fulfill Liz Claiborne, Inc. and Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association’s mutual interests at a recent meeting with Paul Charron, Chairman of the Board of Liz Claiborne Inc. After concluding tours of all the factories manufacturing for the international fashion industry leader, Liz CEO Charron reported that every factory visited evidenced acceptable standards to continue their relationship, and each was now being required to utilize independent monitors to maintain their standards in the workplace and with their workers. These independent monitoring groups would assure Saipan Liz Claiborne apparel producers of continued contracts with the industry giant.

Feb. 4, 2000

DPL wants land cleared of PCB

The Division of Public Lands has asked the Division of Environmental Quality to first ensure that the area it has requested as a temporary burial place is free from contamination of polychlorinated biphenyls. DEQ has requested for a piece of land near the Lower Base Cemetery which has been ordered closed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio since October 1999 due to widespread contamination of PCB. The U.S. Army Corps has yet to complete the cleanup of the Lower Base Cemetery which was suspended after the company it has contracted to do remove the contamination failed to finish the job.

Fishing business flourishes

So what if the tourism economy is down? The fishing business is not just surviving, in fact, it is doing well. As the local people have become health conscious, the demand for fish has increased, something which is difficult to imagine especially on this island where spam and barbecue have become a part of their daily meals. “It’s a good business although our margin of profit is very small because we mainly buy our fish from the local fishermen,” said Edward Calvo, operations manager of Island Farmers Market. The store barely advertises and the location is far from the main road but everyday the market would have clients lining up outside even before it opens at 8:00 am. Immediately, one would notice the cleanliness of the place. Interestingly, the market that sells 300 lbs. of fish everyday, does not smell either.

Feb. 4, 2002

US Labor sues 2 garment firms

The US Department of Labor is suing two Saipan-based garment firms for alleged failure to compensate their employees for the overtime work they have put in since December 1997. US Secretary of Labor Elaine S. Chao is seeking court injunctions against Marianas Fashions Inc. and Express Manufacturing Inc. based on allegations that the garment firms have violated provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Documents docketed at the US District Court reveal that the Marianas Fashions owes some 343 employees overtime pay dating back to December 1, 1997. The plaintiff, through trial attorney Barbara A. Matthews, said the Marianas Fashions has failed to maintain, keep records of employees’ wages, hours and other conditions and practices of employment. The plaintiff, through trial attorney Barbara A. Matthews, said the Marianas Fashions has failed to maintain, keep records of employees’ wages, hours and other conditions and practices of employment.

LPG firm withdraws Tinian expansion plan

The Commonwealth Ports Authority will start negotiations with the Saipan Industrial Gas Inc. for a possible expansion to Tinian, after another Saipan-based company relinquished its original plan. Carlos H. Salas, CPA executive director, said the proposal to build a gas plant on Tinian is in line with the projected demand on the island. Salas said negotiations between Saipan Gas and the CPA will begin as soon as some details are worked out. He said Saipan Gas officials have previously submitted a proposal to the ports authority. The CPA previously negotiated with Wushin Corporation, which later backed out of the project due to financial constraints.