Y2K BUG ‘Don’t panic. Be prepared’

Don’t panic. Be ready.

With few hours before the New Year, government agencies are on top of the situation as they assure island residents of continuous service and uninterrupted utilities during the rollover into 2000.

But experts advice the people to stock up on food, bottled water, candles and batteries; keep some cash on hand; and have emergency kits ready for the next few days just in case of any problem triggered by the so-called millennium bug.

“The important thing is not to panic. It’s not a bad idea to go ahead and prepare the basic necessities that will last for at least three to five days,” said Tony Calvo, operations chief of the Y2K Task Force set up by the government.

He warned the public against doomsayers predicting the end of the world, noting that information have spread out touting the readiness of the government and local companies in dealing with the Y2K computer glitch.

“There have been a lot of hearsay and hoax tales surrounding the Y2K hype. Those are inaccurate,” said Mr. Calvo.

Standby

Task Force Chair Bob Webb pointed out that a staff will be on standby to watch the rollover between 10:00 p.m. tonight until 6:00 a.m.. tomorrow morning.

The Emergency Management Office in Capitol Hills has been designated as the center for the unified command post — established with the assistance of the Office of Insular Affairs to monitor and respond to possible troubles arising from any computer problems.

“We are not anticipating major catastrophe,” explained Mr. Webb. “Our power, water, public safety, hospital and other services are 100 percent Y2K compliant.”

While the CNMI has been largely spared from the hype on possible effects of the millennium bug, agencies and companies in the service sector have in the past few months trumpeted their computers ready for the new year.

The move is intended to ease fears that there will be major public service disruption due to failure of computer systems to recognize the year 2000.

Hype

Some residents, however, are not taking chances. According to bank officials, there were some “heavy withdrawal” in the last few days among nonresident workers.

At one of the banks in Garapan, a group of Chinese workers yesterday lined up to withdraw money from their accounts.

Likewise, supermarkets were packed by late afternoon, but sales clerks said this was nothing unusual as customers were buying groceries in time for the New Year’s celebration.

“People have been buying a lot of canned goods and bottled water, but I don’t know whether it is meant for the Y2K,” said one cashier at Joeten Supermarket.

Although store shelves are not empty, there is a marked increase in the sales in the last few days. A shopper, who declined to be named, said she was not getting ready for the millennium, but for parties she would host at her house.

A random survey of the people also indicated that they are least bothered by the hysteria, almost to a point of accepting their destiny if and when the doomsday scenario occurs.

“I don’t believe in that. If it happens, then it happens,” said Paula delos Santos.

Carmen Gaskins, resident manager of Hansae Saipan, said she is ready and well-equipped for any eventualities after tonight as she compared the situation to when a strong typhoon is approaching the island.

“I have a copy of the preparedness kit where it says you are supposed to have with you bottled water, food, non-prescription drugs, important documents and beddings,” she said. “It’s like preparing for the oncoming typhoon.”

But Ms. Gaskins said she has not hoarded on goods nor panicked. “I think there’s more hype about it than it should really have. It’s not like our lives depend on just the computers. But the people should always be prepared,” she added.

Usual business

Residents can also rest assured that they will be getting power and water supply 24-hours a day, even on New Year’s day, according to Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.

The government-owned firm has passed the Y2K tests weeks ago but a skeletal staff are working overnight into the new year to ensure that everything works out well.

“There’s nothing going to be different between now and the new century,” said Bill Ohle, CUC legal counsel.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has also assigned a team to monitor the situation round-the-clock, although the first flight to Saipan after the stroke of midnight will arrive at 2:45 A.M. tomorrow.

Continental Airlines flight 988 from Guam will be “the first U.S. flight in the new millennium,” quipped Travis Coffman, CPA information officer.

Phone lines, on the other hand, will not break down, assured Steve Mensah, information system manager of GTE-Pacifica, the islands’ lone domestic service provider.

“We are 100 percent ready,” he added, noting crews will be working until tomorrow in case of any reported troubles.

If you get busy tones, Mr. Mensah’s advise is to keep dialing. “People are just calling all the same time on New Year’s Day, just like during Christmas Day. There’s no need to panic,” he said.

Mr. Calvo also said that banks, shipping companies, telecommunications firms, among others, have made sure they have complied with the Y2K requirements and that they have put in place contingency plans if all these preparations fail.

“If there are problems, we are prepared for that,” he said.