Saipan Tribune

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Flashback - Oct. 2000-Oct. 2003

Oct. 17, 2000

PSS receives computer surplus from DRMO

Six used computer hardware have been provided by the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO) in Guam for the students of the Public School System here, according to Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho. The Saipan lawmaker made arrangement to acquire the surplus computers which range from 486DX50 to Pentium class with Windows95 operating system and Microsoft Office installed. He is set to turnover the equipment to PSS tomorrow at the Procurement and Supply Office in Lower Base. He wrote to Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos that his staff will be assisting the schools in the initial setup of the system.

Bill clips DOLI's power to hear labor disputes

Legislation diminishing the government's role in reviewing employment contract of nonresident workers has cleared the House of Representatives after insertion of provisions that will ensure workers' protection. Under the amended version of HB 12-275, offered by Judiciary and Government Operations Committee chair Rep. Dino M. Jones, the Department of Labor and Immigration will also be stripped of the authority to hear disputes arising from the contract forged between an employee and employer. If it becomes law, it will be handed over to the court to litigate the matter, instead of through the administrative proceeding conducted by DOLI, which is stipulated in existing policies.

Oct. 17, 2002

CIP drawdowns jump to $24.6M in FY02

The CNMI government has managed to draw down some $24.64 million in Capital Infrastructure Project funds in Fiscal Year 2002-a 21-percent improvement on the $20.32 million that was drawn down in the previous fiscal year. This brings to $49.94 million the total amount of CIP funds that were drawn down by the CNMI government from Fiscal Years 1999 through 2002. Gov. Juan N. Babauta said this is a noteworthy development for the CNMI government in that it signifies that CIP projects are now moving ahead, with the effect of increasing local employment opportunities and having more money circulating in the domestic economy.

CPA joins clamor for exemption from US ports lockout

The Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday said that the heavy dependence of the Northern Marianas on the sea transport system to bring in goods from the mainland United States should be a valid justification to exempt the CNMI from any agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said the ports authority supports Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio's clamor for the Commonwealth's exemption from any future lockout that may hit ports in the West Coast. Salas, in a letter to the office of the CNMI Resident Representative to Washington DC, disclosed that about 24-25 percent of all shipments to the Northern Marianas in 2000, 2001 and 2002 comes from the mainland United States through West Coast ports.

Oct. 17, 2003

CRM: CUC didn't hook up Plumeria

The Plumeria Hotel applied for power connection with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. since September last year but its request has not been acted on, according to Coastal Resources Management Office director Joaquin Salas. Salas said he discovered about it only recently after his office issued a notice to the hotel demanding that it shut down its power generator and immediately hook up with CUC. The citation was issued on the belief that the hotel's management had failed to comply with CRMO's previous recommendations. In his order issued about two weeks ago, Salas said the hotel's power generator has created adverse environmental impacts during the past two years.

Scholarship board for Saipan proposed

With a potential funding source in sight, Rep. Arnold I. Palacios has decided to put forward a local bill that aims to establish a scholarship assistance program eyed to supplement the education needs of students in the Third Senatorial District. With closure to the longstanding retroactive payments nearing completion, the Saipan congressman disclosed plans to use Saipan Local Law 13-8-which pumped funding for the salary adjustments-to start a scholarship fund that would benefit Saipan students.