Saipan Tribune

Friday, May 24, 2013

Saturday, October 06, 2012

FLASHBACK - Oct. 6, 2012

Oct. 6, 1999

DLNR runs out of plant vouchers

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources yesterday said it has run out of plant vouchers with the deluge of requests for free vouchers for a plant of their choice. According to Public Information Officer Marianne C. Teregeyo, some 150 vouchers were issued this year and divided for distribution among DLNR, Division of Agriculture and the Division of Parks and Grounds. She said the vouchers were divided among the three offices for easy access and convenience to the general public. The three agencies were pleased with the overwhelming response of the public who were enthusiastic in receiving the free vouchers in exchange for a plant in participating island nurseries. Teregeyo said the vouchers were made available through a federal grant and distributed on a first-come-first- serve basis.

PWC to conduct independent monitoring of SGMA

Comprehensive independent monitoring of 31 Saipan garment manufacturers by one of the world’s premier professional services firms is set to begin next month under a new contract between the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). Internationally recognized for their work to improve business excellence, PWC will provide monitoring compliance for SGMA members with the "Standards for the Treatment of Workers and Working Conditions and Standards for Living" set forth in the SGMA Code of Conduct. Under a contract signed Sept. 27 by SGMA executive director Richard A. Pierce, the association will join other non-government organizations, such as advocacy groups, religious organizations and social service providers with PWC for a comprehensive external/independent monitoring program.

Oct. 6, 2000

CNMI lags behind in ADA compliance standards

Organizers lamented yesterday a low turn out to the Americans with Disabilities Act workshop on facility compliance, recording very little participation from business and government entities on an issue that also affects them.

Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. Programs Coordinator Jim Rayphand expressed disappointment that business/establishment owners did not show up to increase their awareness on ADA-compliancy standards mandated of their agencies. "Every facility must comply with ADA and it should follow that people running the facility should know about it. I think if there were more lawsuits, there would be more people," said Mr. Rayphand.

NMHC gets US nod for 20 mortgage insurance slots

In what could be a major push to the CNMI government's housing program, the Commonwealth Development Authority has successfully negotiated for at least 20 mortgage insurance slots with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 20 slots secured from the HUD represents a significant improvement in comparison to the initial implementation of the program in the Northern Marianas when only one home mortgage insurance was issued by a local bank. The Memorandum of Agreement between the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation and the U.S. government's HUD for the mortgage insurance slots is expected to be formalized within the year.

Oct. 6, 2002

Veto seen in bill ’correcting’ PL 13-1

The measure that intends to correct the flaws identified in Public Law 13-1 has a distinct possibility of running into a brick wall. Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente said that, although he hasn’t had the chance yet to discuss the matter with Gov. Juan N. Babauta, he believes that the Babauta administration remains opposed to the intent of the measure, which means that they may veto the bill. “I haven’t had the chance to speak to the Governor about it but, in my discussion with the Legislature-both the House [of Representatives] and the Senate-I’ve informed them of our objection to the intent or position of House Bill 13-126 and I don’t believe that that has changed. At this point, our position is that we may more than likely veto House Bill 13-126,” said Benavente.

NMI Film Office plan gets House approval

Plans to promote the development of CNMI’s own film industry gained ground, as the House of Representatives voted to support the creation of a permanent, locally based film office. House members voted 15 to one in favor of Senate Bill 13-41’s passage during a regular session this week. The Senate initiative, introduced by Senate President Paul A. Mangloña, seeks to establish a permanent office and commission whose task will be to promote the development of a viable motion picture, film, video and media industry.