Flashback April 2, 1999-2002

[B]APRIL 2, 1999

Panel endorses bank-reform legislation[/B]

The House Commerce and Tourism Committee has recommended immediate passage of a legislation overhauling operations of banks and other financial institutions on the island, saying these reforms will safeguard the half-a-billion dollar sector. It will also widen the scope or ownership of Commonwealth banks and simplify the administrative procedures associated with the licensing and operations, according to a committee report.

[B]CDA eases terms on loans payback[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority has taken steps to help locally-owned businesses weather the current economic crisis through flexible loan repayment terms and other assistance aimed at easing financial burden on their borrowers. Marylou S. Ada, executive director of the chief government chief lending agency, said these measures have been put in place even before a request for assistance from lawmakers came.

[B]FCC funds sought for health care[/B]

The Northern Marianas has pressed the Federal Communications Commission to overhaul its Universal Service Rural Health Care Program in order to free up vital telecommunications funding intended for local health care system. Due to declining cash resources, the Commonwealth hopes to avail of the funds granted under the Telecommunications Act implemented in 1996 which provides for the rural health care program.

[B]APRIL 2, 2001

Harsher penalties against child rights violators eyed[/B]

The CNMI government on Friday stressed the need to expedite approcal of the proposed changes to the existing anti-child abuse law, in hopes to prevent the increasing cases of child rights violation in the Commonwealth. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio underscored the need for immediate changes to the existing law Friday after he officially designated April as the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
[B] Continental looks at 8 new markets for CNMI[/B]

Continental Airlines is reviewing possible deployment of nonstop flights out of eight emerging markets primarily spurred by the slow recovery of the Japanese economy from deep financial upheavals. This, as Continental Airlines yesterday launched its Saipan-Nagoya direct flights with 155 passengers onboard including 10 individuals representing different media entities in Japan.

[B]Administration submits higher FY2002 budget[/B]

The Administration of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has finalized the proposed Fiscal Year 2002 budget allocation of about $229 million, up from the previous year’s $221.66 million. The increase in the proposed FY2002 budget mirrors the additional revenues expected to be generated by the CNMI government during the forthcoming financial year, according to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

[B]APRIL 2, 2002

Chamber backs Farallon bombing[/B]

Saying that a pullout by the military from the CNMI would be disastrous to its already ailing economy, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday took the cudgels in defense of the U.S. Navy’s bombing practices on Farallon de Mendinilla. This, as the Navy plans to appeal an adverse decision of a federal court in connection with the military exercises on the island.

[B]CPA scrambles to meet obligations[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority’s revenue from Fiscal Year 2001 to the first five months of the current financial year fell short of the original projection to merit a full coverage of the agency’s existing financial obligations. This prodded CPA officials to explore the possibility of restructuring payment of loans obtained from the Commonwealth Development Authority. Ports officials will also revisit its revised budget for FY2002 and look into alternative revenue sources, as well as streamline operational costs and other recommendations that would assist the CPA meet its obligations to the Franklin Fund.

[B]PSS: Politics not a factor in evaluation[/B]

The Public School System yesterday reassured the impartiality of Education Commissioner Dr. Rita H. Inos’ ongoing performance evaluation, a process still haunted by ghosts of the PSS administrator’s defeated bid for political office in the 2001 elections. Robert H. Myers, the PSS’ public information officer, affirmed that Inos is being measured based on her four-year job performance and her accomplishments. “Let the numbers speak for themselves,” Myers told reporters during a press conference yesterday, showing copies of PSS fiscal data documenting years of budget sacrifices in a period of revenue slump, just to keep all public schools afloat.