Saipan Tribune

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Monday, January 07, 2013

FLASHBACK - Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 1999

Legislature ready to adopt master plan

Legislators are expected to pass a proposed bill to set into motion the recently drafted master plan of various Capital Improvement Projects on the island seen as its only hope to recover from the worsening economic crisis. Members of the Senate yesterday met with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and other administration officials to discuss the mechanism on how to utilize some $154 million in funds guaranteed under the Covenant Agreement. Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez said they are ready to support the proposal which will identify local funds to match the federal assistance on Section 702 projects.

Retirees want payment of bonus assured

For 21 years, Brigida Ichihara had worked for the Public School System, serving as teacher and principal until her retirement from government service on December 4. The former principal of the Koblerville Elementary School would have stayed on, but opted to retire last month out of courtesy for Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio who has repeatedly prodded eligible employees to resign to trim down government personnel. It was her way to help the cash-strapped government slash spending on payroll-which comprises about 75 percent of its budget-amid declining revenues triggered by the worst crisis to hit the Northern Marianas in 50 years.

Jan. 7, 2000

Coalition adopts Caucus Resolution

The bipartisan coalition comprised of members from all three parties has adopted a Caucus Resolution reaffirming their commitment to work "with shared vision of leadership and policy" beginning on the first day of the 12th NMI Legislature. Adopted on Dec. 30, 1999, the resolution says that the group believes that the new House leadership, reflected in the officers and heads of committees, "is the best that the legislature has to offer and will lead us in the new millennium and new time of prosperity for everyone who lives and works here." "We desire to publicly acknowledge our support for the new leadership and express our confidence that the officers of the House stated herein are truly the right people for the job and will lead the House with dignity, honor and zeal," according to the resolution.

House members bid farewell

For some, it spelled the end of a political career nurtured in the past few years. For others, it meant just a break from a high-profile public life that they vow to get back into when the next elections come. But for most members of the House of Representatives, it was the time to pat themselves on the back and rub their mostly bruised egos after two years of drawing controversies while trying to pass laws that have certainly changed the course of CNMI's history. Amid the ongoing battle for the forthcoming set of leaders of the 18-seat chamber, the House held its final session yesterday on its sine die under the 11th Legislature with more speeches and farewells than enacting legislation.

Jan. 7, 2002

Tour program for guest workers’ families urged

The Marianas Visitors Authority should explore the possibility of expanding the island’s tourism market by creating special tour packages for families of foreign workers in the CNMI. Commonwealth Development Authority board chair Juan S. Tenorio said the MVA should start looking at the growth potentials of coming up with a special tour package designed primarily for families of CNMI-based nonresident workers. Tenorio said that, since a big number of foreign workers in the Northern Marianas normally fly to their respective home countries to be with their family during the holidays, the MVA may come up with a package that would instead entice the workers’ relatives to fly to the CNMI.

Korean Air returns on Saturday

The much-anticipated return of Korean Airlines will finally happen this Saturday, at 2am, with the arrival of the first flight that will herald the resumption of direct flight services between Seoul and the Commonwealth. Marianas Visitors Authority officials and local dignitaries will be on hand to welcome the return of Korean Airlines’ Seoul-Saipan flight. “The Korea-CNMI daily route will be providing additional seating capacity of more than 2,000 seats per week,” said Vicky I. Benavente, acting managing director of MVA. Benavente said it was a welcome sign of hope for the local tourism industry.