FLASHBACK – May 7, 2012

May 7, 1999

Ingram proposes transfer of some DPS function to mayors

Public Safety Commissioner Charles Ingram has proposed the transfer of some police functions to mayors in order to unburden the Department of Public Safety with responsibilities which could be handled by localities. While DPS is a state function provided by law, and its responsibilities have grown over the years. “The DPS is so huge now, it’s hard for one man to run it,” he said. As stated in the law, DPS will run the police force, fire service and correction service, but in recent years, it was tasked with additional functions like the Boating Safety Unit and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

JAL plans to boost flights to Saipan

Japan Airlines will provide charter flights from Nagoya and Fukuoka to Saipan in July and August as it remains committed to boost traffic and help revive the island’s ailing tourism economy. However, the Marianas Visitors Authority must carry out more promotional campaign if it wants more visitors to come to the CNMI, said Yukiharu Enomoto, district manager of JAL. He said Saipan will continue to come to the island because “it is the biggest resort island for Japanese people.” With the combined efforts of MVA and JAL in marketing the CNMI in Japan, Enomoto said the Japanese people are gradually recognizing it as an ideal destination.

May 7, 2001

DPH saves $1.5M from hiring setup

The CNMI government realized $1.5 million in annual savings since 1998 for commissioning two Saipan-based manpower agencies to hire personnel and medical experts for the Commonwealth Health Center. Public Health Secretary Kevin Villagomez said manpower pooling allowed the hospital to minimize problems associated with the issuance of full-time employees documents, disproportionate benefits and salary ceiling for newly hired CHC staff. DPH has contracted the services of Saipan Employment Agency & Services and Paras Enterprises Saipan Inc., to hire nurses off-island to the Northern Marianas.

Tinian mulls rehabilitation of 38 historical, tour sites

Local leaders need over $100,000 for the restoration and development of more than 38 historical sites on Tinian that need major rehabilitation to pump up the island’s tourism industry. Talks on the possible infusion of capital for tourism-related projects are now underway as legislators and local government leaders try to source out funding assistance from federal and local agencies, Sen. Jose M. Dela Cruz said. Mr. Dela Cruz disclosed the island’s leaders have started exploring alternative sources of funds that will allow the local government to carry out the needed development and rehabilitation of tourist areas such as dive sites, former World War II arsenals and others.

May 7, 2002

CUC projects $1.6M net income

Sustaining its claim that its financial standing has improved, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation yesterday said it is projecting a net income of up to $1.6 million, if the settlement agreement it is negotiating with the Commonwealth Development Authority would finally be adopted. This, as the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation adopted its budget for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 in a regular board meeting held yesterday afternoon. “The net result of both our operation and non-operation revenue and expense report is a loss of nearly $2.3 million. The loss takes into consideration interest in the amount of $3.8 that would have been due CDA,” stated comptroller Rufo T. Mafnas, in his report to the board.

MVA gets waiver on hiring nonresidents

Long hampered by the lack of qualified technical staff in Japan itself, the Marianas Visitors Authority may now begin hiring Japanese workers as tourism consultants, marketing managers and other technical and professional employees who will augment the MVA’s office in that country. This comes soon after acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente signed into law Friday House Bill 13-79, which expands the coverage of Public Law 12-34 to include the MVA among those government agencies that are exempted from the blanket restriction on the hiring of nonresident workers. Japan is considered the CNMI’s premier tourism market but, prior to the passage of this law, the MVA could not hire Japanese employees due to the statutory restrictions.