Flashback – May 2000-May 2002

May 22, 2000

Guerrero defends CUC vs Lang

Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero has defended the agency from criticisms leveled by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio who has slammed their recent decisions for allegedly violating its policies and regulations. In a letter to the ex-chief executive responding to accusations, he sought to justify the board’s actions, saying that they were done in accordance with the law. Mr. Tenorio earlier has written to the CUC chair asking him to suspend board’s activities as he expressed alarm at the alleged ignorance by some of the members on their responsibilities and duties to the government corporation.

Continental to begin non-stop service to Seoul

Continental Airlines has announced that it will resume serving Seoul, South Korea starting July 16, 2000. The airline will fly two times a week to Seoul, non-stop from Guam. A Boeing 737-800 aircraft will service the route every Thursday and Sunday. Flying time from Guam will be approximately 4.5 hours. Continental flight 927 will depart Guam at 5:25 p.m. and arrive in Seoul at 9:05 p.m. Departure of Continental flight 928 from Seoul will be at 9:55 p.m. and arrive in Guam at 3:05 a.m. the following day. “We’re excited about reentering the Korean market as it is the second largest tourism source for Micronesia, ” said Walter Dias, Continental Airlines staff vice president of Sales and Promotions.

May 22, 2001

Import-export revenues may drop to 3-year low

Earnings from excise tax and user fee for the financial year 2001 is likely to become the lowest in three years, based on current figures obtained from the CNMI Division of Customs Services. Customs Director Jose C. Mafnas said that if the current collection trend continues, government revenue from excise tax and user fee could reach a shortfall of as much as $3 million. Figures released by the division for the first seven months of the fiscal year, indicate that collections from excise tax and user fee averaged $5.15 million during the period October 2000-April 2001.

CNMI receives support of Congress ally

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial received a letter from US Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-CA) regarding the status of federal funding for the Rota and Tinian port projects. Mr. Fitial said there has been a great deal of attention recently concerning Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta’s support for the development of the Rota and Tinian ports. “While I certainly appreciate the Secretary’s support, the decision to provide federal funds for these projects was made by Congress through appropriations to the Army Corps of Engineers,” he said. Mr. Fitial added that these studies received funding only because “we were able to enlist the help of our friends in the US Congress.”

May 22, 2002

’Allocate $2-M Compact funds to PSS, DPH, DPS’

Instead of dividing the $2 million Compact Impact money among the three senatorial districts, the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has moved to allocate it to the three primary public services: education, public health and public safety. In a move that House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider described as evidence of the “big heart” of Saipan lawmakers, the delegation adopted a resolution yesterday that would allocate the $2 million that the CNMI recently received as Compact Impact payments for Fiscal Year 2002 to the Public School System, the Department of Public Health and Department of Public Safety.

Miller wants proof of NMI labor reforms

Though supportive in helping the Commonwealth achieve long-term economic stability, U.S. Rep. George Miller is, however, seeking proof of the CNMI’s sincerity in implementing labor reforms. Toward this goal, his office has asked Washington Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio to provide the American congressman with documents and reports on specific labor matters, with particular focus on the status of nonresident worker recruitment in the garment industry. In a letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Tenorio said he recently met with Dr. John Lawrence of Rep. Miller’s office “and found him to be very open and interested in assisting the CNMI achieve long-term economic stability. However, he asked to updates on reforms that you and Rep. Miller discussed earlier.”