COMMUNITY BRIEFS – Sept. 1, 2017

Public school closed today and Monday

All CNMI public schools will be closed today, Sept. 1, in observance of CNMI Labor Day festivities, and on Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of the CNMI Labor Day legal holiday. All schools, including Early Head Start, Head Start, elementary, middle and high schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota will be closed.

Classes and services will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 for all schools except for the Early Head Start and Head Start Programs, which have school-level Professional Development Day on Sept. 5, 2017. For Early Head Start and Head Start Programs, classes will resume on Sept. 6.

Contact the school or the Office of the Commissioner at (670) 237-3061 for any questions. (PR)

Chamber meeting on Wednesday

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will have a general membership meeting on Wednesday next week, Sept. 6, at the Seaside Hall of Kanoa Resort. The luncheon begins at 11:30am and the meeting starts promptly at noon.

Commerce Secretary Mark Rabauliman will talk about the Prevailing Wage Survey and update on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Japan Consul Kinji Shinoda will share information about the Japan Exchange and Teaching program.

We will also launch a new project of the Saipan Young Professionals Committee, which will engage the entire community in enhancing the lives of the youth. (SCC)

CNMI Scholarship deadline for NMC’s PLA Program extended

The CNMI Scholarship Office has extended the deadline to submit scholarship applications for the Prior Learning Assessment program to Sept. 8, 2017. Students who would like to apply for financial aid for NMC’s PLA program can submit a scholarship application to the CNMI Scholarship Office in Capitol Hill no later than Sept. 8, 2017. For more information, contact Raymond Muna by calling 237-6746 or emailing raymond.muna@marianas.edu. Additional information is also available at marianas.edu. (PR)

Naval Base Guam to test Giant Voice system

SANTA RITA, Guam—U.S. Naval Base Guam will conduct routine testing of the vital communication and advance warning system, “Giant Voice,” on Sept. 5 starting at 3pm. Residents in surrounding areas of the GV speakers should only hear short verbal tests of the system, including warning tones. This is a monthly test that typically falls on the first Monday of each month. (PR)

JKPL closed until Tuesday

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library will resume normal hours on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. It will be closed for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, and Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (PR)

Philippine e-passports now ready for release

The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in coordination with honorary consul Eli Arago in the CNMI, is now releasing new passports to those who renewed their passport last July 10,11,12 and 13, 2017. You can pick up your new passports at the Finasisu Terraces, Apartment Bldg D, second floor, on top of the Mini-Mart Store, from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm (12-1pm is break time). Bring your old passport and receipt. For any inquiry or details call Mel Santos at 233-6293. (PR)

PH consular outreach in September

The Philippine Consulate General in Guam will be holding a mobile outreach on Saipan on Sept. 8 to Sept. 11 at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. It will accommodate 640 applicants who pre-registered for passport renewal.

If an individual wants to avail of one of the 640 slots available for the outreach program, they must call the office of Philippine honorary consul to the Commonwealth Glicerio Arago at 233-6293. The individual has to set up the renewal appointment with Mel Santos. (PR)