Flashback May 05, 1999-2003

[B]May 05, 1999

CUC: No power rate cut[/B]

Calling a legislated rate reduction as “disaster,” the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has warned lawmakers against forging ahead with their plan to lower the cost of electricity for residential and commercial users on the island by an average of 25 percent. CUC Chairman Juan S. Dela Cruz said the proposal would throw the utility corporation back to government subsidy as its financial standing would suffer with lower power rates.

[B]Envoy sees investment opportunities in CNMI[/B]

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Ernesto Maceda yesterday said the Northern Marianas offers investment opportunities to Filipino businessmen in agriculture, computer and construction. Maceda said former Philippine National Bank Governor Ed Espiritu has also recommended providing privately-funded agriculture development to the CNMI which many locals are not keen on venturing into.

[B]Chamber, HANMI step up campaign for fair wage act changes[/B]

After examining the proposed implementing rules and regulations of the Resident Workers Fair Compensation Act, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands yesterday renewed their calls for public hearing so that the CNMI government can consider their suggested amendments to the law. In separate letters sent to House Speaker Diego T. Benavente, Senate President Paul Manglona and Labor and Immigration Secretary Mark Zachares, the two organizations warned that failure to consider the recommended changes in Public Law 11-74 would result in gross inequities.

[B]May 05, 2000

Teno presses for cleanup of PCB[/B]

The Northern Marianas government will demand complete and extensive cleanup of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in Tanapag to ensure safety for village residents, according to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio. “I will not be satisfied until it has been resolved and they have cleaned up the area of contamination,” he told reporters in an interview yesterday.

[B]CDA offers business counseling to distressed clients[/B]

With the anticipated persistence of low economic output this year, the Commonwealth Development Authority is taking measures to assist local entrepreneurs weather dwindling business turnout due to weaker consumer confidence. Business experts at the development authority have been mobilized to conduct counseling sessions with the agency’s clients who may be in search for ways to survive the economic contraction, thereby, continue paying their loans from the CDA.

[B]NMC contests Eucon’s 4-year college courses[/B]

The Northern Marianas College yesterday questioned the authority of a religious educational institution on Saipan to offer four-year college degree courses in the absence of a license from the NMC Board of Regents. Due to its opening of four-year college programs this school year, Eucon International College is facing legal inquiry by the Attorney General’s Office following claims by the NMC Board of Regents that the religious institution has not obtained any license from the body.

[B]May 05, 2003

CUC board amends Telesource contract[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s Board of Directors unanimously approved Friday to amend its existing contract with Telesource, allowing the private firm to use its power plant equipment on Tinian as loan collateral for another project. The board’s decision, however, is subject to possible change depending on the Attorney General’s final recommendation on the contract amendment.

[B]Borja, Guerrero lose tempers, make amends[/B]

Tension filled the conference room of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Friday morning when Board member Joaquin Borja of Tinian blew his top, openly accusing board chairman Frank Q. Guerrero of “not doing anything” on important issues. The Board of Directors was discussing the proposed amendment to the existing contract with Telesource on Tinian when Borja pointed out the CUC board chair’s “indecisiveness” and CUC deputy executive director Bernard Villagomez’ “insubordination.”