Flashback – June 2006-June 2008

June 11, 2006

Rota flights to be suspended

Continental Connection, operated by Cape Air, announced Friday that it would suspend flight services to the Northern Mariana Island of Rota, effective Oct. 12, 2006. The airline cites a number of factors in its decision to suspend the service, including weak market demand and increasing fuel costs. Since the inception of service, fuel costs doubled, which severely impacted the viability of this marginally performing market.
Continental Connection began daily service between Guam and Rota on July 1, 2004. The airline worked with the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Guam Visitors Bureau, and the local visitors industry to promote Rota. “In spite of our efforts to promote this beautiful island, the Rota routes performed poorly for us,” said Cape Air regional administrator Russell Price.

Business group to focus on alternative energy

Looking at alternative energy sources as a way to reduce the islands’ reliance on imported fuel, the local business community will invite regional experts to speak on renewable or alternative energies in this year’s Marianas Roundtable. The economic summit is set for August 31 this year. Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Charles V. Cepeda said speakers from Singapore, the Philippines, and Australia “representing the energy field will be invited to speak specifically about alternative energy.” The first Marianas Roundtable, which was held in May last year, mainly tackled telecommunications issues.

June 11, 2007

OPA urged to expedite CUC bid protest

A lawmaker has urged the public auditor to act fast on a contractor’s protest in relation to the power utility privatization bid. Rep. Stanley T. Torres raised concern that no action has been taken on the protest filed by Telesource CNMI Inc. The company said the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. charged unreasonable fees and set vague criteria for the privatization of its power operations. “Given the importance of this CUC endeavor to the participating firms, local businesses, and community members, all parties have an interest in knowing that this procurement is being handled in a timely and appropriate way. “Though there are many lingering questions regarding the timing and structure of this particular procurement, the non-responsiveness of the regulatory and appeal agencies is also a matter of continuing concern,” Torres told public auditor Michael S. Sablan in a June 6, 2007 letter.

6 new retirees’ pension claims on hold

The NMI Retirement Fund has allowed six government employees to retire but put their benefits claims on hold amid legal issues surrounding the implementation of proportionate pension scheme. “All these applicants (six employees) were allowed to retire, as the Board decided to go through the regular administrative procedures before implementing any change in benefit calculation,” said Fund administrator Mark A. Aguon in an e-mail. He said the six individuals are “process-hold applicants” to refer to “employees who applied for retirement benefits, but whose applications were put on hold, because of the uncertainty of the implementation of the proportionate pension plan.”

June 11, 2008

General discussion on federalization with DOI

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and a visiting group of federal officials only briefly touched on immigration “federalization” during their meeting yesterday. Doug Domenech, the Department of the Interior’s acting deputy assistant secretary for insular affairs, said the U.S. government’s nearing takeover of local immigration was discussed “in a very general way.”

Fitial cites improved relations with Interior

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said his administration is now enjoying a good relationship with the Department of the Interior. Doug Domenech, the Interior Department’s acting deputy assistant for insular affairs, led a team of federal officials on a two-day visit to the Commonwealth earlier this week. In a press conference yesterday, the Interior Department officials announced the approval of a $50,000 grant for the CNMI’s economic study. This is in addition to the $75,000 that the agency previously released for the project.