FLASHBACK – November 3, 2011

Nov. 3, 2000

House to block legalization of abortion

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial put his foot down yesterday to any proposal that will change the constitutional provision banning abortion in the Northern Marianas amid renewed debate on the issue. He said the only legislation acceptable to the House leadership is one that will provide penalties against violation of that mandate, but added they have yet to consider enacting such measure. Under the CNMI Constitution, abortion is prohibited on the islands. The Legislature, however, can lift that ban. At present, there is no local statutory law that penalizes the practice here.

ABE wants slice of Compact-Impact funds

The Northern Marianas College Adult Basic Education Program is seeking a fair share to the $1 million Compact-Impact appropriation delivered last week by Office of Insular Affairs Director Danny Aranza, noting that the public institution hosts approximately 27 percent of Micronesian students. ABE Director Fe Y. Calixterio expressed yesterday hopes the local government will not overlook NMC’s adult literacy program as it also provides valuable services to students from the Freely Associated States. FAS students comprise about one-fourth of the overall NMC student population, according to Ms. Calixterio.

Nov. 3, 2002

House wants govt buildings metered

The House of Representatives is requesting the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to urgently install utility meters on all public offices, and do away with the flat rate charges currently imposed on the government for its power and water consumption. The House, expressing its preference for metered government offices, is convinced that the scheme would promote conservation of resources and lessen the government’s deficit. Floor Leader Jesus T. Attao penned a resolution formalizing the request for the installation of utility meters, which the House adopted Wednesday. Attao underscored that part of the government’s fiscal year 2002 deficit is attributed to the cost of government utilities consumption.

MHS students raise funds for Japan trip

With more than 10 weeks left before the Japan Cultural Exchange Program, 15 members of the Japan Club of the Marianas High School have launched efforts to raise an estimated $13,000 for the scheduled trip in 2003. Club members began their weekly fundraising program at the Civic Center Pavilion Saturday to raise the needed amount that would take them to the much-awaited ski trip to Tokyo and Hokkaido, Japan, an exchange program expected to be joined by at least 13 MHS students. According to Japan Club adviser Maria Salas, the students hoped to generate the necessary money by selling baked goodies at the pavilion in the next few weeks. The students started their fundraising drive yesterday.

Nov. 3, 2003

’Education has bright economic promise’

Gov. Juan N. Babauta is pleased with the Bank of Hawaii economic assessment report, which described higher education as a potential new industry that could rake in money for the Commonwealth. Babauta described the report by Wali Osman, PhD., BoH’s Senior Fellow for the Pacific Economies at the East West Center, as an “excellent report,” noting its recognition of the Pacific Gateway project as potential starting point for a new industry. “It institutionalizes the idea of the education industry,” Babauta said. Osman had stated in the report that Saipan could become the educational center of the East Asian region. Pacific Gateway is a multi-million-dollar project by the Northern Marianas College geared towards attracting foreign students into the CNMI.

BoR approves pay hike for instructors

The Northern Marianas College Board of Regents approved Friday a $150 across-the-board pay increase for faculty beginning spring 2004. The board said the increase is consistent with the goal of a 1999 pay hike resolution, which has not been implemented-until next year. After a lengthy board discussion, which was attended by over 20 faculty members, the board decided against delaying the approval of the motion for its next meeting as proposed by some members and the management. In the end, the board ruled to go ahead with the implementation of the 1999 resolution (pay increase) on the condition that the increment would be limited to adjunct faculty and some full-time instructors who teach extra courses.