Flashback — Jan. 2000-Jan. 2005

January 7, 2000

SNILD okays issuance of resident IDs by mayors
On their final session, Saipan lawmakers yesterday approved a proposal allowing residents of Saipan and the Northern Islands to obtain identification cards from their respective mayor’s office upon payment of a fee ranging from $7 to $15. The measure, offered by Rep. Melvin O. Faisao, will provide island residents an official document, if no other valid IDs are available like driver’s license, that can be used for any legal transactions. Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan and the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council had both endorsed the proposal since it will benefit the community in terms of identifying residents and citizens.

House tightens rule on garments exports
After nearly sitting for six months in the House of Representatives, a bill aimed at enforcing labor and safety laws in the garment industry was passed yesterday by 13 members present during its final session before adjourning sine die for the next Legislature. Senate Bill 11-125, offered by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, will empower the Division of Customs to deny issuance of certificate for country of origin on finished apparel from factories found in violation of the laws and the code of conduct of Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association. This certification is required by the U.S. Customs before apparel merchandise manufactured in the Northern Marianas can be shipped to the mainland. During the discussion of the measure, the House deferred changing some of its provisions as the Senate can no longer act on the amendment as it had already adjourned for the current legislative term. It now heads to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for signing into law.

January 7, 2005

CUC told to explore alternatives to surcharge
Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday urged the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to explore other means of reducing power generation costs, instead of implementing a fuel surcharge. In an interview, Babauta particularly mentioned a proposal by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce for CUC to consider using a cheaper type of fuel for its power plants. He said that based on his discussions with Chamber president Alex Sablan, he found the business group’s suggestion “sound” and worth considering. He added that CUC should pursue the power plant privatization project, along with changing the fuel type being used. Sablan’s proposal is for CUC to convert its power plant back to utilizing the No. 2 bunker oil, rather than using the more expensive low sulfur automotive diesel oil the plant currently burns.

Drydock project gets only one proposer
The Commonwealth Ports Authority is not expecting a decision to be made before February on the sole proposal for the drydock project. CPA executive director Carlos Salas said the authority is still in the process of reviewing the single proposal it received for the project. Aside from the slowdown of work during the holidays, the fact that CPA does not have much option in the project has caused the agency much difficulty in making a final decision, Salas explained. He expressed hope that the review will be finalized this month and that management will be able to make a recommendation to the CUC board of directors by next month. The project involves the construction of a small ship repair and manufacturing facility at the North Seaplane Ramp area of the Port of Saipan.

$6.9M food stamps issued
The Nutrition Assistance Program issued more than $6.9 million worth of food stamps in the CNMI in fiscal year 2005, based on the program’s recently issued summary of expenditures. The report also shows an increase of 695 in the number of households receiving food stamps during the fiscal year. The report showed that, in fiscal year 2005—covering the period from October 2004 to September 2005—the program released $6,955,411 worth of food assistance to needy members of the CNMI community. Based on statistics provided by the program, Saipan-based beneficiaries received the biggest amount of food assistance this fiscal year at 93.4 percent or $6,493,105, followed by Rota, with 3.7 percent or $258,695. Next is Tinian, with 2.7 percent or $186,330, then the Northern Islands with only 0.2 percent or only $17,281 worth of benefits.

Improved Grotto opened to the public
Tourists and divers can now visit a new and improved Grotto, which was formally opened to the public Friday morning. Working up to his last day in office, Gov. Juan N. Babauta led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Grotto rehabilitation project. Led by the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the tourist site enhancement cost the local government $268,000. The improvements, done by RNV Construction, included the construction of a pavilion, walkways, restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue pits. It also includes a paved parking lot, an improved drainage system, and a lookout ramp for tourists. Babauta noted that the runoff that once went down into the Grotto has now been redirected to a ponding basin. The traffic congestion has been addressed with a circular driveway and with designated parking for buses and passenger vehicles. A viewing platform has also been built, allowing people to see the Grotto clearly without having to go down into the Grotto. Bathrooms and water catchments were also constructed to ensure that sanitary standards are maintained.