FLASHBACK- September 1, 2011

Sept. 1, 1999

NMC saved $1 million in personnel expenditures

The Northern Marinas College has saved more than $1.06 million in personnel expenses during Fiscal 999 as a result of its reorganization, according to a top college official. Ramon Villagomez, chairman of the NMC Board of Regents, said the college has been saving a great deal since it started observing austerity at the institution. He clarified an earlier press report that NMC saved only $23,000 from its austerity measures. “I believe that NMC did its best to reduce its personnel costs which helped the CNMI government stay within its budget forecast in FY 1999,” Villagomez said in a letter to Senate and House leaders.

CPA asks FAA for more technical assistance

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has asked the Federal Aviation Administration officials in Los Angeles to provide more financial and technical assistance to the CNMI for the improvement of its airports in Saipan, Rota and Tinian. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas and board member Roman Tudela met with FAA officials in L.A. last month where they discussed the need to acquire more equipment for the three airports. This developed as only three of the nine employees assigned at Saipan International Airport Control Tower will be taken in by SERCO, a private contractor based in California, when it takes control of tower operations.

Sept. 1, 2000

Govt urged to hold talks with Nippon Air

Lawmakers have prodded key government agencies as well as the governor’s Aviation Task Force to lure back All Nippon Airways (ANA) to the Northern Marianas in an effort to boost the number of tourists from Japan. A resolution adopted by the House of Representative the other day formally requested the task force, the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Commonwealth Ports Authority to take steps in encouraging the Japanese carrier to renew its service to the islands. Rep. David M. Apatang, sponsor of the resolution, stressed the CNMI government should look into the possibility of resuming ANA’s flights to Saipan to help improve the present air transportation situation here.

Bill to improve job placements pushed

Division of Employment Services Director Alfred A. Pangelinan has urged the House Committee on Judicial and Governmental Relations to pass a proposed measure that aims to assist prospective resident employees, particularly college students or graduates who are unable to obtain employment because they lack work experience. In a letter to Rep. Dino M. Jones, chair of the committee, Mr. Pangelinan commended HB 12-222 because it will strengthen the jurisdiction of the Director of Employment, providing an efficient and effective system for resolution of complaints. The bill will create a system that will deal with referral, placement and other employment issues. However, Mr. Pangelinan suggested that the proposed measure include those who have high school diploma, training and work related experience.

Sept. 1, 2002

Four developers hold housing fair on Saipan

Filipino workers on Saipan yesterday trooped to a housing fair jointly held by four noted home developers from the Philippines at the Nauru Building in Susupe. The housing fair will run until tomorrow, Monday. Official representatives of the Masaito Development Corporation/Citihomes Builder and Development Inc., Skyland Holdings and Management, Inc., JF Proximo Holdings, and Planters Development arrived on Saipan for the Home Developers’ Open House, which opened at 9am Saturday.

HSBC continues to support NMC

Despite the economic recession and its corporate decision to close the Saipan Branch, the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp. recently renewed its commitment to the development and improvement of postsecondary education in the CNMI by donating $5,000 to the Northern Marianas College this year. Collectively, the HSBC has donated $20,000 to the NMC to improve the quality of its educational programs and services. “On behalf of our entire college community, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation for their generous contribution and interest in supporting higher education here in the CNMI,” said Dr. Kenneth Wright, NMC president.