Flashback Dec. 22, 1998-2000

OPA cites gov’t ‘wastes’[/B]

The Office of the Public Auditor has identified more than $23 million in unessential appropriations under FY 1999 budget which the cash-strapped government can either eliminate or curb spending in a bid to boost its shrinking coffers. OPA chief Leo L. LaMotte said the government stands to save $10 million if it strictly complies with the freeze hiring and deferment of salary raise as proposed last January in the first wave of austerity measures by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio. “Due to slowdown in economic activity, government operations may not need the number of (full-time employees) budgeted for fiscal year 1999,” he said in a letter to Rep. Melvin Faisao.
[B] New law removes hiring constraints[/B]

A bill easing restriction on the employment of non-resident workers in the Northern Marianas was signed into law yesterday, allowing employers to utilize their employees to perform work outside their job categories specified in the work contract. The measure removes what lawmakers described as “unreasonable bureaucratic or regulatory obstacles” that impede the efficient use and employment of foreign labor. Public Law 11-51 was put in place in response to clamor from the business community to permit the cross utilization of guest employees in view of difficulties confronting employers in acquiring the services of foreign workers because of the indefinite ban on hiring.

Revamp criminal justice system[/B]

The CNMI government must overhaul its criminal justice system to prevent a surge in crimes in light of an independent study that shows an 83 percent jump in admission in the corrections facility over a 10-year period since 1989. In contrast, the study indicated that prosecution of misdemeanor and felony cases lagged behind considerably based on 500 random samples, either due to poor investigation or lack of manpower. Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, chief of the Prison Task Force, advocated for reforms which he said will compliment efforts in improving the prison facilities.

Both the House and the Senate will likely come up with respective legislation amending the “public purpose” law that has sparked disagreement between members of the Legislature and the Tenorio administration in recent weeks. Although lawmakers have reached an “understanding” with Finance Sec. Lucy DLG. Nielsen on which expenditures they can charge to their government accounts, this amendment is necessary to ensure that problems will not crop up again in the future. Senate President Paul A. Manglona said the meeting last week resulted to an “understanding and better awareness” on what are questionable and acceptable expenses by the Legislature.

SEDC unveils economic plan[/B]

Local officials are optimistic of better times ahead as the Strategic Economic Development Council begins to carry out steps aimed at enticing investors into the tourism industry and boosting the number of visitors to the islands. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez and other members of the Legislature attended SEDC’s presentation of a five-year plan which it hammered out for the past 15 months. It is the first phase of recommendations that both the government and the private sector will have to jointly undertake to give the CNMI a boost to the arm following years of economic slumber.

In yet another attempt to fast-track closure of the Puerto Rico dumpsite, the House of Representative has expressed anew its “grave concerns” over the chronic health and environmental hazards it poses to island residents and tourists. In a resolution adopted the other day, members asked Public Works Sec. Juan B. Cepeda to hasten the bidding process to procure services that will shut down the site as dumping ground for trash and garbage on Saipan. The Department of Public Workers has issued a request for proposals from companies interested in undertaking the project until January 19, 2001.